[an error occurred while processing this directive] epsom derby 2013 /

Mirsaale Books Epsom Derby Place
24/04/13

1 Mirsaale 5/1
2 Another Cocktail 7/1
3 Gabrial's Kaka 9/2
NR: Barnaby Brook (CAN)
8 ran Distances: 1½l, 2¼l, 7l
TIME 2m 8.35s (slow by 2.65s)

Mirsaale won the £50,000 Investec Derby Trial, run over 10 furlongs at Epsom Downs’ opening fixture of 2013 this afternoon, and will now be aimed at the premier Classic, held at the Surrey course on Saturday, June 1.

The three-year-old colt, trained by James Tate in Newmarket, triumphed in good style from seven rivals and enjoyed a length and a half advantage over Another Cocktail at the line.

The trainer commented: “We always thought he would handle a track like Epsom but we just didn’t know whether he was good enough. So I am really delighted with Mirsaale’s performance and Neil (Callan) gave him a great ride.

“I think we will be coming back here on Investec Derby Day – we will give him a whirl in the Classic.

“In meantime we will look at the Chester and Lingfield Derby trials and see if we can fit one of them in. He is a small, well-balanced horse who is ideally suited to these undulating courses, which don’t suit the bigger longer-striding sorts.

“He is by a Derby winner in Sir Percy and is a half-brother to Meeznah who was a neck second in the Investec Oaks (2010) before being disqualified. So he was almost certain to like Epsom.

“Mirsaale was a decent two-year-old who ran very well on debut in a hot Newmarket market won by Ghurair and then he won his maiden and was a good third in a Haydock Park Listed race over a mile.

“He disappointed on his last race as two-year-old when going back to seven furlongs for a sales race on heavy ground. Today’s conditions were more his cup of tea – faster ground, an undulating track and a longer trip.

“Mirsaale does not work very well at home but he has a hell of an attitude on the track – a real tough horse.

“He will be my first Classic runner. His owner Saif Ali has always wanted an Investec Derby runner which is why we entered Mirsaale at the second entry stage a couple of weeks ago. The colt deserves to take his chance now.

“I would have thought that a mile and a half will suit him even better but you never know until you have tried it. But we might send him over a mile and a half before the Derby.”

The winning rider, Neil Callan, added: “I knew coming into this race that he would be quite fit as he is a clean-winded horse. He is also very well balanced so I thought he would handle the track.

“As regards the Investec Derby, it is going to be a much tougher race but you cannot take anything away from Mirsaale today. He has done everything right in this trial and ran to the line very well so I am pleased.

“He tries and I am sure he will stay so he has the right credentials – it is just a question of whether he is good enough.”

The Investec Derby Trial kicked off the trials for the Investec Derby, Britain’s richest race worth at least £1,325,000, and there will be plenty more clues over the next month to point to the winner on June 1

Coral, the official betting partner of the Investec Derby Festival, has cut Mirsaale to 50/1 from 66/1 for the Investec Derby.

Epsom Downs Investec Derby Trial (Conditions Race)
8 ran
Going: Good (Good to Firm in places)