Racing Round-Up: Plenty to ponder for connections of Derby hopefuls

Depending on which side of the fence you’re sitting on, this weekend’s Derby trials have either illuminated the Epsom Derby picture or muddied the waters as far as the overall picture is concerned.

Winners from the UK, Ireland and France have entered the fray but how solid are their respective claims?

Here’s our look at the latest market movers…

Touch of Magic provides Godolphin with a bright spark

Jim Bolger’s Moonlight Magic caused a minor upset in landing the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown yesterday but how much we can read into that success is still up for debate.

The Godolphin charge did well to oblige in the hands of Kevin Manning but despite his quietly impressive victory he remains a 10/1 shot for Classic glory.

Meanwhile, the winning operation were also given more food for thought after the Andre Fabre-trained Cloth of Stars took the Group 2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint-Cloud.

That performance in front of chief executive John Ferguson is likely to lead to the stylish colt being supplemented for the Derby with odds of 14/1 currently being offered about his chances.

Harry Dunlop, trainer of runner-up Robin of Navan, reckons Cloth of Stars is a lively Classic contender.

Good to hear that the horse we were 2nd to today Cloth of Stars might be running in the Derby could have a good chance

— Harry Dunlop (@HarryDunlop3) May 8, 2016

Will Humphrey Bogart make an appearance on the biggest stage?

Humphrey Bogart’s Derby Trial win at Lingfield on Saturday has raised a number of questions, not least around the method by which horses qualify for the Epsom showpiece.

Trainer Richard Hannon has been giving his comments on the subject and the high cost involved for owners Chelsea Throughbreds to supplement their charge.

He told the Racing Post: “If you win one of these races you should be able to get into the Derby itself.

“The money is the big thing we’re going to have to consider because £75,000 is a lot for these guys.

“If you have a horse who’s winning a Derby trial, surely you want them running in the Derby? It makes the Derby a better race. The whole point of running horses in the trials is to see whether they should go to the Derby.”

In terms of Mr. Bogart’s chances we make him a 25/1 chance although it seems the jury is very much out regarding his participation.

Nyquist reigns in Kentucky, did someone say ‘Triple Crown’?

It’s now just 4/1 for Doug O’Neill’s Nyquist to win this year’s US Triple Crown after landing the first leg at Churchill Downs on Saturday night.

There were doubts about the lukewarm Kentucky Derby jolly but he soon dispelled those and in doing so became the fourth favourite in a row to win the renewal.

The Preakness Stakes in two weeks’ time and the Belmont three weeks after that make-up the rest of the Triple Crown with Nyquist the 4/5 market-leader for the former.

If you think he can match the feat of last year’s hero American Pharaoah then it’s probably wise to get your money down before we head to Pimlico.

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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.