Five horses who will love soft ground in the Derby as rain falls at Epsom

THE rain is falling at Epsom and with further unsettled weather in the run-up to Saturday’s Derby we could have a feature race run on soft.

The last time the word ‘soft’ appeared in the going description was 2021 when 16-1 Adayar sprung a shock under Adam Kirby.

And before that it was Dermot Weld’s Harzand who struck at 13-2 under the late Pat Smullen.

The rollercoaster ride of the Epsom turf is the main thing this year’s runners have to show a liking for.

But the ability to handle some cut underfoot – with the going officially soft, good to soft – looks like it could be crucial too.

Here are five Derby runners with proven form on soft ground.

1 City Of Troy
11-4

The obvious place to start is last year’s awesome Dewhurst winner.

He pulverised rivals on soft ground that day to make it 3-3 in his career but how different things have been since.

City Of Troy flopped completelty when 4-6 fav in the 2000 Guineas and there are now huge doubts over how much ability he has.

He has drifted alarmingly in the markets as well.

But punters keen to stick with him should take heed from his success on soft previously… even if little else is currently going in his favour.

2 Dallas Star
40-1

Amo Racing almost struck gold with 66-1 King Of Steel in the Derby last year.

And they had 50-1 Mojo Star finish second the year Adayar won.

Kia Joorabchian’s outfit are back with this soft ground-loving sort this year.

Dallas Star was sent off 50-1 for a Leopardstown Group 3 on heavy last month but stayed on brilliantly to see off Aidan O’Brien’s The Euphrates.

He subsequently finished fourth on good behind big Brit hope Ambiente Friendly in the Listed Derby Trial at Lingfield earlier this month.

Dallas Star, whose sire Cloth Of Stars finished placed in two Arcs, is a real outsider in the race but will like softer conditions.

3 Ancient Wisdom
5-1

Godolphin’s hope is a winner on soft and heavy and caught the eye when a well-beaten second behind Economics in the Dante at York.

Economics won’t run in the Derby and Ancient Wisdom was not in the right place to launch a challenge as the Knavesmire Trial hotted up.

But he pumped Ambiente Friendly by five-and-a-half lenghts in a Newmarket Group 3 on soft last October.

And was turned out again two weeks later to win the Kameko Futurity at Doncaster on heavy.

There’s no denying this son of Dubawi prefers it slightly softer and it’s little surprise punters have been backing him.

4 Dancing Gemini
12-1

Fifth to Ancient Wisdom in the Futurity but not beaten all that far, Roger Teal’s chance looks to have bulked up over the winter.

On his first run of the season he was sent off 25-1 for the French 2000 Guineas on soft and finished second by just half a length.

You could argue that only strengthens the claims of Ancient Wisdom but these sometimes how these youngsters progress (or don’t) is anyone’s guess.

Bred for middle distances and a son of former Derby and Irish Derby winner Camelot, he could represent great value.

5 Los Angeles
9-2

Could Aidan O’Brien’s second string be the horse to deny his beloved City Of Troy?

Los Angeles loved the ‘very soft’ ground when winning the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud over 1m2f for colts and fillies at Saint-Cloud last year.

And with conditions set to be in his favour, everything points to him loving the step up to 1m4f too.

He looked to take a while to get going in his Group 3 win over 1m2f on good at Leopardstown earlier this month.

More cut and two extra furlongs could be perfect.

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