Serpentine was a complete outsider, at least by the odds of 25/1. Jockey Emmet McNamara was also looking for his first win in his first Derby. The wins take O’Brien’s record to 8 wins. Khalifa Sat finished second at massive odds of 50/1, while another one of O’Brien’s horses Amhran Na Bhfiann finished in third at odds of 66/1. Ed Walkers English King could only manage 5th, while Ryan Moore was 6th on board another from the Ballydoyle stable, Mogul.

McNamara opted to take a lead from the front and he stretched the lead coming up to the 2f pole. This is probably what won the race as the other horses in the race left it to late to make any kind of impact. In the end Serpentine won by 5 and a half lengths. Speaking after the race McNamara said, “I think I got a little bit of a freebie. I had huge amount of confidence in the horse having spoken to Aidan during the week”.

The Limerick man continued, “He said he was a horse that is going to stay a mile and six well. He said jump, go your own tempo and just from halfway, from the six to the five, give him a breather. He said he’ll keep going and he was right”.

O’Brien was impressed with McNamara. Speaking to Racing Post he said, “Emmet gave him a brilliant ride. He judged the pace well and he knew he was on a horse that would stay every yard of the mile and a half.”We know the road is so long with so many links in the chain,” he said. “You never expect anything, you always do your best, hope it will happen and then accept the result.”

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Ed Walker will have the favourite (English King). He won at Lingfield Derby Trial and will be the mount of Frankie Dettori. The Italian jockey will be looking for his third Derby win having won aboard Authotized in 2007 and Golden Horn in 2015.

Aidan O’Brien runs six in the race and will pose a significant threat to the market principles. The Wexford man is looking for his 8th Derby success. He had 7 entries but Armory was removed for the list of entries. Russian Emperor is O’Brien’s best chance, at least according to the odds. Mogul also runs here who finished fourth in the King Edward Stakes. Irish 2,000 Guineas Runner Up Vatican City has also strong credentials. Amhran na Bhfiann, Serpentine and Mythical are complete the hopefuls from the Ballydoyle yard.

William Muir has Pyledriver running who won the King Edward VII Stakes, albeit surprisingly. Mohican Heights also runs for the David Simcock yard. Paul Cole has a runner in the race with Khalifa Sat. Jessie Harrington has Golden Maze in the race, with Hugo Palmer running Emissary, Ralph Beckett running Max Vega and John Gosden with Worthily.

The Oaks will see a field of eight go to post. Aidan O’Brien runs three in the race with Love, Passion and Ennistymon. John Gosden runs Frankly Darling, whom is a daughter of the great Frankel. Her trainer Mr John Gosden is looking for his fourth win in 7 seasons in the oaks. Tiempo Vuela also runs for yard. Roger Varian has two runners in the race with Queen Daenerys and Gold Wand.

It’s promises to be an exciting weekend for sure.

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