Countdown to the Derby: Classic picture begins to clear

The action comes thick and fast at this time of year and after last weekend’s thrilling action at Newmarket and Churchill Downs, an exciting season looks assured. Big Brown was sensational in the Kentucky Derby and vindicated trainer Richard Dutrow Jr’s opinion of him.

At Newmarket, the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas were run with the favourite on each occasion attempting to make all. France’s Natagora managed it in the 1,000 Guineas but New Approach, owned by Princess Haya Bint Hussain, wife of His Highness Shaikh Mohammad Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, was thwarted by Johnny Murtagh in the colts race on Henrythenavigator.

Kevin Manning must regret not having gone quicker on Princess Haya’s horse but it was a great start to Murtagh’s tenure as stable jockey to Aidan O’Brien in the same race his predecessor Kieren Fallon won on Footstepsinthesand to make a perfect start to his time in the Ballydoyle hot seat.

Rio grand?

It is the French Guineas weekend and Godolphin will be hoping that Rio De La Plata can kickstart their European campaign after a disappointing first weekend back in the UK. It was a similar scenario in 2005 when Dubawi was beaten at Newmarket, only for Shamardal to go to France and win their 2,000 Guineas.

Ibn Khaldun was well beaten in the 2,000 Guineas, having raced prominently until halfway. Jockey Frankie Dettori explained: "He just ran flat. He is better than that but it is disappointing."

Laureldean Gale was equally disappointing the following afternoon in the 1,000 Guineas with Dettori saying: "She was beaten before the race. She was fine until we went behind the stalls then she just fretted and was very warm – losing all chance."

Trial season

With the UK Guineas out of the way, attention turns to the Derby and Oaks and today’s Chester Vase is the first of the main Derby trials which come thick and fast. The Dee Stakes tomorrow and Lingfield Derby trial on Saturday are followed by the Dante at York and the picture for the Blue Riband on June 7 will be a lot clearer this time next week.

That said, the 2,000 Guineas is my idea of the best trial for the Derby but, sadly, Jim Bolger seems reluctant to allow New Approach to take his chance but he definitely ran like a Derby horse. Similarly, Bolger’s Lush Lashes produced the best pointer for the Oaks last Sunday. Authorized last year and Motivator in 2005 both won the Dante before going on to Epsom Derby glory and I will preview that race in next week’s paper.

Chester pointers

On the subject of Chester, my old guv’nor, Barry Hills, targets this three-day meeting which began yesterday, so all his runners are worth a look but remember the basic rules for picking a winner on this unique, almost circular course

• Those drawn high, especially in sprints, may as well stay at home
• Those drawn one have a big advantage in sprints
• Long-striding, scopey horses often fail to handle the turns
• Horses with form on the course should be kept on the right side (if well drawn)
• Most importantly, ignore bad runs on this course when assessing horses next time out