took keen hold, tracked leaders, 4th straight, effort to track winner going well over 2f out until inside final furlong, faded towards finish
held up, 9th and ridden straight, hung left and weakened over 2f out
fluent to stride, pulled hard and restrained towards rear, ridden 7f out, last and weakening straight, tailed off
in mid-division, 6th straight, weakened 2f out
tracked leaders, 3rd straight, close up and ridden 2f out, weakened approaching final furlong
in mid-division, steadily lost place on inner from 7f out, 12th straight, ridden and headway 2f out, stayed on strongly towards finish, not reached leading pair
keen hold, held up, 10th straight, weakened and well behind final 2f
led to over 3f out, weakend rapidly 2f out, tailed off
tracked leader, led over 3f out, ridden 2f out, soon pushed clear, stayed on strongly
in touch, pushed along 7f out, 7th and ridden straight, stayed on to chase winner inside final furlong, unable to quicken and lost two places near finish
tracked leaders, 5th and ridden straight, weakened over 1f out
held up in rear, 13th straight, effort on outer, edged left and stumbled over 1f out, stayed on final furlong, took 2nd last strides, no chance with winner
dwelt, held up in rear, 11th straight, challenged on outer driven 2f out, sooner edged left under pressure and weakened final furlong
raced on inner, held up, 8th and ridden straight, driven to challenge 2f out, no extra final furlong
With doubts concerning the trip for Snow Ridge and North Light making limited appeal at the odds, a chance is taken with Percussionist, who is taken to give John Gosden a second winner in the Derby. The selection has no stamina limitations having been an impressive winner under testing conditions of the Lingfield Derby trial last time. His dam appreciated fast ground, so the drying conditions may not be too much of an inconvenience to the son of Sadler's Wells, who is taken to give Frankie Dettori his first ever Vodafone Derby success. Snow Ridge has arguably the best form on offer having found just Haafhd too good in the 2,000 Guineas on his most recent start and, while he is out of a dam with a strong influence for stamina, there are serious doubts as to whether the son of Indian Ridge will stay the 1m4f trip well enough to land even a sub standard looking renewal. North Light showed no signs of stopping when landing the Dante at York last time and holds solid claims of giving the combination of Stoute and Fallon successive Derby wins following the victory of Kris Kin 12 months ago. He rates the main danger. Greenham winner Salford City was a shade disappointing in the 2,000 Guineas last time but should improve for the step up in trip, while American Post was fortuitous to land the French 2,000 Guineas on his most recent start. That was the third time that the son of Bering had won in Group 1 company and, as the only winner in the highest class in the line up, he has to be given the utmost of respect. However, there are possible stamina limitations for the French raider, while Rule Of Law would be breaking the norm by winning this having been beaten in the Dante last time. Gatwick and Hazyview have shown progressive form in handicaps this term and, while their connections faith may be rewarded with some place prize money, it will be a major surprise if either is good enough to win. On paper this does not look to be the strongest renewal of the world's greatest race and Percussionist is taken to outstay some of his better-fancied rivals.
