THE gravy train made it's way to Epsom on Tuesday for its annual Breakfast With The Stars event, in prep for the Derby and Oaks next week.
With only one horse there on the day, the plural in the name was a tad generous – but we still learnt a bit about some of the main contenders. Though, that can't be said for everyone.
✅ Despite reports Sir Dragonet more likely for Epsom than France
Over the weekend Sir Dragonet began to drift in the Derby betting and the rumour mill reported that the French Derby was a more than viable alternative.
But on Tuesday morning, after some persistent urging from Nick Luck, O'Brien revealed Ballydoyle would always favour Epsom over any other race and that stumping up the £85,000 supplementary fee was still the preferred option.
O'Brien said: "I know France is an option, but I know the lads and Epsom is always where they would want to be.
"No decision will be made until later, but if I had to have a bet on it, the lads would prefer to go to Epsom rather than France. They won't make their mind up until the supplementary stage."
The King of Ballydoyle also revealed Broome, Circus Maximus, Anthony Van Dyck, Norway, Mohawk and Cape Of Good Hope could all conceivably line up at Epsom too.
Seven Ballydoyle runners in the Derby, don't discount it.
❌Frankie Dettori gave nothing away on Anapurna and Mehdaayih
While it's not Frankie Dettori's fault or anyone in particulars for that matter, if the Italian had been able to commit to one of John Gosden's leading Oaks hopes, it would have generated plenty more hype.
Instead we got, 'I'll be sitting down with John at the weekend.' Ergh.
The Derby and Oaks are supposedly the biggest races in our Flat calendar, to stand any hope of making it into mainstream coverage, we need the likes of Dettori to be a real champion of the race.
❌No news on Telecaster from Hughie Morrison
Epsom may as well have stuck up Morrison's quotes that followed Telecaster's Dante win at York last week.
No clues were given away whatsoever. The Derby, with the Irish and French equivalent are all still under consideration. Morrison again was quick to point out that connections have a free entry to the Irish and French Derby if required.
Again, it's not directly Morrison's fault, but a 'Win and You're In' element to the supposed trials would undoubtedly help drive up some interest in the betting public.
Hughie Morrison on Telecaster
"We had a very hard race last week at York.
"There are only 16 days between that and the Derby and you have to be realistic about horses recovering and we will only find out the week after when the adrenaline comes out of the system.
"We are perfectly happy with him and he is doing everything you would like him to do after a race. We will bide our time until the latest possible point.
"If the horse did run, I would not be able to put my hand on my heart and say that he has fully recovered. It would be wrong of me to say that.
"As a three-year-old, he is definitely the best I've trained.
"There are other options to come. We get free entry into the Irish Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris, so we have to put that in the melting pot as well."
✅The Story Epsom and British Racing should be focused on is Bangkok in the Derby
It may be left to Andrew Balding, Silvestre De Sousa and King Power Racing to take on the might of Ballydoyle in the Derby. Bangkok looks to have an outstanding chance at Epsom.
Everyone loves an underdog story, a David versus Goliath tale. Why Balding is far from a small fish in racing circles, when taking on potentially seven regally-bred Ballydoyle colts, anyone can be considered the little man.
The burgeoning King Power outfit have poured millions into the sport in the past few years and everyone knows the sad story around the former Leicester Chairman and Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha.
While it would have been easy for King Power to step away from the sport, it seems their commitment has only increased and they deserve huge credit for that.
Let's hope they get their reward on the big stage.
Andrew Balding on Bangkok
"He is a horse we have always liked and he probably didn't achieve what he should have done last year. But the way he wintered and how he began to relax in his work at home, we were getting pretty excited in March and obviously the maiden he won has worked out pretty well.
"He beat Telecaster, although he was having his first ever race, and there was clear daylight back to the third horse.
"His work improved again and he did it well at Sandown. We had Elm Park in the race and he was very good, and he and this colt would be the two best colts I've had during my training career."
❌Only one horse working is not good enough
Only the Lingfield Oaks Trial runner up Tauteke was on show at Epsom – a 150-1 shot for the Oaks with Bet365.
Many trainers also revealed that the horses they consider Classic contenders had actually worked that morning, but were kept at home. Why?
Trainers should jump at the opportunity to work their horses over the unique undulations Epsom offers.
And Epsom and the Derby should be pushing trainers to do so.
Perhaps reduced entry or another form of initiative is needed to get some bigger names to show their hand.
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