The Lion In Winter Anchors 25 Derby Entries At Latest Scratching Stage

[Wandering Eyes]

A total of 25 colts remain in the June 7 £1.5-million G1 Betfred Derby (In Honour of His Highness Aga Khan IV) at the latest scratching stage.

Part of a seven-strong Irish-trained contingent is The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars), who is still the narrow 5-2 favourite, for Aidan O'Brien and the Coolmore partners, despite running sixth in the G2 Dante Stakes behind 4-1 chance Pride Of Arras (New Bay), who is trained by Ralph Beckett.

Other colts carrying the Coolmore partners' colours include G3 Leopardstown's G3 Derby Trial Stakes winner Delacroix (Dubawi), who is also 4-1; G3 Chester Vase hero Lambourn (Australia); Listed Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes scorer Puppet Master (Camelot), and G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Tennessee Stud (Wootton Bassett), who is trained by O'Brien's son Joseph.

Godolphin has two in the race, the G1 2000 Guineas hero and 7-2 second choice Ruling Court (Justify) and the fourth-place finisher Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot) for trainers Charlie Appleby and Saeed bin Suroor, respectively.

Second in the 2000 Guineas and third in the Dante Stakes, Wimbledon Hawkeye (Kameko) has also stood his ground for trainer James Owen. John and Thady Gosden saddle two, with Dante second Damysus (Frankel) remaining in the field.

Oaks Field Reduced To 14

After the latest scratching deadline, 14 fillies remain in the £550,000 G1 Betfred Oaks, held the day prior to the Derby at Epsom Downs. Standout G1 1000 Guineas heroine Desert Flower (Night Of Thunder) is as low as 15-8 for Godolphin and Charlie Appleby.

Second choice in the wagering at 9-2 is Listed Chester Oaks victress Minnie Hauk (Frankel), one of six in the race for the Coolmore partners and Aidan O'Brien. Sixth in the G1 1000 Guineas was fellow Frankel filly and multiple top-level winner Lake Victoria, who is aiming to round into form for the Epsom contest. Kingman's January, bridesmaid to Desert Flower in the Guineas, is also entered, as are stablemates Giselle (Frankel), a winner of the Listed Oak Trial Fillies' Stakes and 6-1, and G3 Musidora Stakes winner Whirl (Wootton Bassett), at 8-1.

Another from Ireland is G3 Salsabil Stakes heroine Wemightakedlongway (Australia) for Joseph O'Brien. Shadwell's Falakeyah (New Bay) for trainer Owen Burrows is 5-1. She is unbeaten in two starts, including the Listed Pretty Polly Stakes at Newmarket on May 4.

The one-two from the Listed Childwickbury Stud Fillies' Trial Stakes are also pointing to the Oaks in Quilin Queen (Pinatubo) for Ed Walker, and Revoir (Study Of Man) for Ralph Beckett.

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