MILITARY ORDER CAN WIN THE WAR

Military Order has won both his starts this season, a novice race at Newbury last month followed by Lingfield’s Derby Trial – a ‘faultless’ prep for Epsom according to his trainer Charlie Appleby.

He believes the Betfred Derby favourite Military Order is ‘marginally in front’ of his full brother, 2021 Epsom hero Adayar, at this comparative stage of their respective careers, and is confident the Frankel colt can find even more improvement.

The Godolphin trainer confirmed: “I’ve only left Military Order in the race on the back of his win in the Lingfield Derby Trial which I was very pleased with. He has come out of that race well and it is all systems go.”

On his trial win Appleby said: “What I loved about it was when William made that manoeuvre into the straight. For a mile and a half horse he did it effortlessly.”

The Godolphin trainer opted not to gallop his charge at Epsom at the Derby Festival Gallops Morning stating he feels Military Order will handle it fine without having a pre-race sighter. He added: “He has proven himself around Lingfield so there was no need we felt to go to Epsom for the gallop morning.”

Ante-post second favourite (9/2) is the Ballydoyle trained Auguste Rodin, despite his lacklustre 2000 Guineas display.

Aidan O’Brien retains full faith in his Derby contender, the impressive winner of the Gr1 Futurity Trophy at Doncaster on heavy ground last season.

However, Auguste Rodin was most disappointing in the first Classic of the season at Newmarket in early May, coming home 12th behind Chaldean, over the Rowley Mile. O’Brien subsequently described the race as a “non-event” for the 13-8 favourite after he suffered interference in the initial stages, with Ryan Moore not too hard on his mount when his chance had clearly gone.

O’Brien reiterated: “The Derby is always about the one horse, really – and always has been. Everything he has always done has been exceptional. I think we just have to put a line through the Guineas. He got banged into and wiped out another. Because that happened, Ryan got caught in a pocket and it just didn’t happen. Ryan did the right thing.”

The Foxes was cut to a general 8/1 for Epsom glory after gaining a narrow victory in the Gr2 Dante Stakes at York, the last recognised trial for the Derby.

Andrew Balding’s runner was always wellpositioned under Oisin Murphy, and the son of Churchill travelled into the race sweetly on the far side, hitting the front over a furlong out and holding on to win by a neck.

Balding said: “He did a bit of meandering across the track. He’s a very good horse, it looked a deep Dante today.”

“He’s very professional, you’d have to think Epsom is the next step, I think we’d have to give it a go.”

“I think he’ll stay as his dam got a mile and a half well.”

Finally, feedback from Epsom on Monday morning with the Gosden yard familiarizing their Epsom hope Arrest with the unique undulations of the famous track.

Frankie Dettori was aboard the Chester Vase winner twelve days before his final Betfred Derby, and all went well enough for the retiring superstar to confirm he would partner the Frankel colt in next month’s Classic. Dettori, believes he has a ‘live chance’ on the 13-2 third choice in the market.

Reflecting on the morning’s work he said: “It’s all about him getting used to the most crucial part, Tattenham Corner, that’s where you can win and lose your race. He did it fine, no problem. He’s growing up, he’s getting stronger, and Chester’s done him the world of good.”

The Arrest camp have been clear they feel their charge prefers a bit of cut in the surface and when asked about drying ground, Dettori said: “It is an issue, so fingers crossed, may the rain continue.”