Normally a Derby Review should start with the Epsom Derby, as they say it’s the biggest race in the world. But for column’s like this one, devoted to big speed figures and even bigger speed figures, we will be going straight to Chantilly for the French version last Sunday. While the Prix Du Jockey Club is only run over a mere 10f 110y, it still seems to get it’s fair share of clockbusters. Clockwatchers will recall this column’s huge admiration for Vadeni’s (124) last year, hailing him as the best 3-y-o in training. That view would have been really enhanced in the Prix De L’Arc De Triomphe, had he been given a more forward ride from the stalls, but a second place finish was nothing to be ashamed of. Well, Jean-Claude Rouget has only gone and done it again. Ace Impact (127) smashed the winning time race record since it has been reduced to 10.5f. The son of Cracksman (GB) received a bump on leaving the stalls, and had to be settled in rear.  The turn of foot the horse showed to go from eighth place to second place while recording a second last furlong of (11.19) and finally (11.39) to leave Big Rock in his wake, was very impressive. The clock is basically saying he is the best 3-y-o in Europe right now. Unfortunately, he has already been scratched from his next engagement in the Coral Eclipse, for which early takers of the 8/1 on offer will not be on good terms with themselves. Hopefully we will get to see him in the Juddmonte International at York next. A quick mention for George Boughey’s filly Perdika (112) who took the Prix Marchand D’Or Listed Stakes on the day as well. It looks like she will have to step up to Group races next.

Is the Epsom Derby still the most important race of the year? Aidan O’Brien would like to think so. Auguste Rodin (115) took the 1.30pm spectacular last Saturday by 0.5L from King Of Steel, taking his trainer’s tally to nine career wins in the race. It was an above average performance for the race on the clock surpassed in recent years only by Golden Horn (116). Aidan had been telling us all how great the son of Deep Impact (JPN) was since his flop in the 2000 Guineas and even the most devout followers of Aidan’s all-conquering stable must have been thinking twice about steaming into the 9/2 joint second favourite. But once again the Master Of Ballydoyle proved all the cynics wrong! He is now an odds-on shot for the Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh in July.

Badri (118) recorded the best speed figure of the two days when taking the final race of the meeting. Only Watchable’s (114) course record of 1.06.20 has been run faster, but that was run under faster conditions. Clockwatchers will have been keeping more than an eye on this son of Dark Angel (IRE) since he recorded a (111) at Southwell in July from a handicap mark of (75). Whilst we know it can be folly to take figures from Epsom to other tracks, the future looks bright for this sprinter considering he already has a wide margin win at Beverley under his belt.

Opening day on Friday at Epsom saw three noteworthy performances on the clock. Emily Upjohn (115) took the Group 1 Coronation Cup in fine style giving her rivals a head start, before sweeping past inside the three furlong pole to account for last year’s Irish Derby winner Westover by 1.75L. Desrcibed as feeling better and stronger in her mind than last year, she looks to be the top filly in the UK at the moment. It will be interesting to see where she goes next. George Boughey finally got Cadillac (113) back to something like his best when taking the Class 2 Betfred Handicap by 1.75L from Jack Channon’s Majestic. A gelding operation last October and the application of first time cheekpieces on the day seemed to bring out the best in him. It would be no surprise to see him pick up another Listed or Group race going forward. Olivia Maralda (111) took the Nyetimber Listed Surrey Stakes by 2.5L from Holguin showing that 7f on decent ground is her forte. Her second place finish to Meditate as a 2-y-o at the Curragh (when trained by Michael O’Callaghan) was recently boosted by that horse’s fine display in the Irish 1000 Guineas. The Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot could be next up for her. Soul Sister (106) took the big race of the day, The Betfred Group 1 Epsom Oaks, by 1.75L from short priced favourite Savethelastdance. Having flopped on her seasonal debut at Newbury on a soft surface, it would appear that decent ground is important to her going forward.

Longchamp on Monday hosted the Group 1 Prix d’Ispahan and the Owen Burrows trained Anmaat (113) just got away with the advertised Good to Soft surface, which times were saying was riding more like Good. Clockwatchers will have been happy to see the son of Awtaad (IRE) finally get his first Group 1 win, following big performances on the clock last year at Haydock (124) and Longchamp (121). Perhaps connections will aim him at The Coral Eclipse next which is shaping up to be a real exciting event. Fort Payne (113) took the Prix du Palais-Royal benefiting from below par efforts from favourite Egot and Amilcar.

White Moonlight (113) bounced backed to her best for trainer Saeed bin Suroor when taking the Edinburgh Gin Queen of Scots Fillies’ Listed Stakes at Musselburgh on Saturday from the Richard Hannon trained Heredia. The strong travelling mare could always be called the winner, but jockey Louis Steward possibly had to ask her for a good bit more than looked likely in the straight. A tougher assignment in the Group 2 Duke of Cambridge Stakes at Royal Ascot lies ahead.

Carla’s Way (109) deserves a mention for such a big performance on the first start of her life at Doncaster over 6f 111y on Saturday. A 350,000gns breeze-up purchase with decent size, 16/1 quotes for the Albany Stakes at Royal Ascot could look a bit too big, providing she can take another step forward for Simon & Ed Crisford. My favourite performance of the week on the clock was the David Simcock trained Fulfiiled (113) eventually winning off a handicap mark of (71) on his seasonal debut at Ripon. The hold up performer has looked a tad frustrating in the past and obviously needs a decent pace to aim at. Entered up again this Saturday at Lingfield it would appear that a new handicap mark of (75) should be well within his compass going forward.

Till next week,

Stay Lucky,

Graham