Jamie Spencer: “I am pinning my Derby hopes on the longer trip and better ground”

Epsom

4.30pm

Norway

I think he got a bit warm before the race and may not have been at his best on his return in the Chester Vase on the soft ground, but he was obviously beaten a long way by the impressive winner Sir Dragonet and has a fair bit to find. But he was a good juvenile, winning the Zetland over 1m2f on quick going, so hopefully the longer trip and better ground will see him leave that Chester form behind. You have to pin your hopes on those two factors bringing him into the mix in what is a very open Derby. The cheek pieces that he wore for the first time at Chester are kept on here – his brother, Ruler Of The World, won this race in them – and I am happy enough with stall 10. Talking of Ruler Of The World, Sir Dragonet has a very similar profile to him. Unraced as a juvenile, and coming in here on the back of two impressive successes, I suspect he may be the most talented horse in the race and Ryan rides him, but this is a very different test for him. And, of course, this is the quickest ground he has encountered. Broome, beaten easily by Guineas fourth Madhmoon last year, appears to have improved massively this season and Phoenix Of Spain showed in the Irish 2000 Guineas just how much horses can progress and step up from their 2yo form. The Ballysax and Derrinstown winner looks pretty solid. Oisin has a difficult job on with Telecaster from stall two. This isn’t like York when you can use up energy early on and get away with it on that bowling green – he basically free-wheeled and had a perfect sit in the Dante – and he will have to use him early on here to get a position, and that can take its toll at Epsom. I think the die is cast for him tactically, and it won’t be simple. I imagine he wouldn’t have an easy run round, either. You can make cases for so many in here – Madhmoon has the class if staying and they thought Japan was a live Derby horse earlier in the season – and it is a very difficult one to call.