RacingBetter News
	Friday 15th April 2022

Luxembourg One to Beat in Derby

Aidan O’Brien is bidding for a record-extending ninth Derby success this year at Epsom. His best chance is likely to come through Luxembourg, a colt who was excellent in 2021 as a two-year-old.

The son Camelot won all three of his races last season, including the Group One Vertem Futurity Trophy Stakes at Doncaster on his final start of the year. He was in full control of that 1m contest in the closing stages.

Excitement has been building around the colt’s prospects in his Classics season ever since he won the Group Two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh. That’s a race O’Brien has often used with his leading Derby hopefuls. Luxembourg is the 5/2 favourite in the horse racing betting for the 2022 Derby. Victory in the 1m4f contest at Epsom will see him match what his sire achieved in 2012, the second of his two Classics that year.

The Ballydoyle runner could make his seasonal reappearance at the upcoming Newmarket Guineas Festival this year. He would go into the British Classic with a strong chance, however, he is expected to improve as he steps up in distance.

Coroebus Likely to be Appleby’s Leading Hope

Trainer Charlie Appleby and owners Godolphin had an excellent year in 2021. One of their highlights was Adayar’s victory in the Derby. They will be hoping for repeat success this year with Coroebus.

The Dubawi colt won the Group Three Autumn Stakes at Newmarket on his last start. He was pushed out by jockey William Buick and was able to put two lengths between himself and the rest of the field at the finish.

The only defeat on Coroebus’ record so far came in the Group Two Royal Lodge Stakes. He hit the front early in that race and was just collared with 100 yards to go by Royal Patronage.

Appleby’s colt is 8/1 to prevail in the Derby. Connections have opted against running him at the Craven Meeting alongside stablemate Native Trail or the Greenham Stakes at Newbury. They are keeping him fresh for the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

The Moulton Paddocks trainer has revealed that his Derby hopeful is in good form at home. He also declared that he will give him a racecourse gallop before he takes on the first British Classic of the season.

Reach The Moon Could be a Royal Derby Winner

The Queen’s silks are likely to be carried in this year’s Derby by Reach The Moon. He showed a lot of potential as a two-year-old, scoring twice across his debut campaign.

John and Thady Gosden’s runner broke his maiden at the third attempt at Newbury over 1m. He then successfully followed up in the Group Three Solario Stakes at Sandown, scoring by four lengths.

On his final outing of the season, Reach the Moon was denied by just a head in the Group Two Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. He made the running in that 7f contest but was held towards the finish of the race.

The son of the great Sea The Stars has an entry in the Dante Stakes, one of the leading trials for the Derby. If successful at Epsom, he would give the Queen her first success in the race. The closest she has come so far is runner-up, which she achieved in 1953 with Aureole, who finished just behind Pinza.

Reach The Moon is 9/1 in the ante-post betting for the most prestigious Flat race in the UK. John Gosden last won the Derby in 2015 with Golden Horn but he has yet to be successful since entering a partnership with his son, Thady.

The 2022 Derby will take place on 4 June, the second day of the two-day meeting from the Surrey racecourse.