The Derby 2021 | Antepost Preview

Racing fans witnessed a magical moment in history in the Derby last season, in a race that nearly didn’t happen due to the continuing COVID-19 pandemic.

Aiden O’Brien landed his eighth success in the contest, making him the most successful trainer in the race’s history.

However, the victory came from an unlikely source as fourth-string Serpentine stole the show at Epsom, winning at odds of 25/1.

Five of the eight victors were the offspring of leading sire Galileo, with the Ballydoyle trainer possessing another son of the former Derby winner in this year’s contest.

High Definition showed an immense level of stamina on his debut, as the colt made rapid headway in the late stages in a one mile maiden at the Curragh, coming from the back of the pack to claim victory.

O’Brien exciting prospect showed further improvement a month later in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes, producing an explosive turn of foot to chase down Monaasib in the closing stages and claim victory.

High Definition is a worthy favourite for the Derby and he can be found as short as 4/1 in some places.

Also hailing from the Ballydoyle Stables is another Galileo colt, in the form of Vincent O’Brien National Stakes and Dewhurst Stakes runner-up Wembley (14/1).

The three-year-old caught the eye in the latter, producing a late burst of acceleration to finish three-quarters of a length behind stablemate St Mark’s Basilica.

O’Brien holds a deck of runners that could head to this contest with Van Gogh (20/1), Bolshoi Ballet (25/1), Cleveland (25/1), Arturo Toscanini (33/1), Carlisle Bay (33/1) and Lough Derg (33/1) all showing potential last season.

John Gosden’s Uncle Bryn (20/1) looks a talent among the British contenders, with two comfortable victories recorded on the all-weather surface.

The Newmarket trainer also has Derab (40/1), Beau Nash (40/1), Daramethos (50/1) and Polling Day (50/1) all entered as well.

Cadillac (33/1) hacked up in the Group 2 KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown in September and could be a potential star for Jessica Harrington.

Mark Johnston’s Gear Up (33/1) won in Group 1 company at 1m2f over in France in October, and he could be joined by unbeaten stablemate Sea The Shells (33/1).

Etonian (33/1) landed Group 3 honours in the Solario Stakes for Richard Hannon, while Martyn Meade’s Lone Eagle (33/1) made promising progress last season when winning the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket.

Another cracking renewal of The Derby that racing fans can look forward to.