DAWN APPROACH READY TO LEAVE DERBY RIVALS IN THE SHADOWS

WITH Dawn Approach on the horizon, the Epsom Derby looks set to rise to the occasion later today.

Twelve horses will take to the track at 4pm in a bid to win the £1.5m prize money - but will the favourite live up to expectations and run away with the winnings?

With the recent drugs scandal still looming in the sport, the chestnut colt is a beacon for Godolphin and seems to remain in a different league to his competitors. 

But even though it may be difficult to look past Dawn Approach, runners including Ruler of the World, Ocovango and Mirsaale (previous course winner) are high contenders.

Ruler of the World is an unbeaten six-length Chester Vase winner and, to me, has the highest chance of causing an upset.

He is half-brother to Duke of Marmalade and with Ryan Moore on board, the horse has the ability to finish in the top three.

Now at 100/1, Mirsaale may seem like a silly tip - but the son of the 2006 Derby winner Sir Percy has previously won at Epsom and could be the dark horse in the competition.

Arguably there are better horses in the Derby, but you never know - a sneaky £5 bet could get you a fantastic result.

Having trained in France, British racing could suit Ocovango slightly better. 

Trainer Andre Fabre has taken the horse on the same route which 2011 winner Pour Moi journeyed on and at around 7/1, he shouldn't be avoided.

However, I think red hot favourite Dawn Approach will follow in his father's footprints (or hoof-prints) and grab the title.

It's difficult to look past him and with an impressive 2,000 Guineas win under his belt, the unbeaten colt is ready to make another impact and make his seventh consecutive win.

But is it really going to be that easy?! Tell me who you have backed - Good luck!

My Top Three:

1st -  Dawn Approach

2nd - Ruler of the World

3rd - Mirsaale

JOHN GOSDEN BUZZING AFTER NATHANIEL'S POTENTIAL BACK-TO-BACK VICTORY AT ASCOT

Focus has turned to John Gosden this week following his announcement of Nathaniel's go-ahead for back-to-back victories in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot. 


After Nathaniel's successful first appearance of the season in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown, the team behind the horse have had the urge to compete him in both top races.


Gosden's colt won the King George last year, beating Farhh by half-a-length. However, he had to dig-deep for the win.


A lot of talk has surrounded Farhh recently as he is to race against Frankel in the Eclipse Stakes: he is seen as a classy horse that may have the most ability to beat the superstar. (But will that ever happen?!)


Connections of Nathaniel have admitted that the horse faces a tough task to emulate Dahlia and Swain as the only third dual winner of the King George. 


Despite the challenge ahead, all signs are reportedly to be good ahead of the mile-and-a-half Group One race. 


A sign of a winner is to see the levels of enthusiasm from the team. Gosden seems hyped at the chance of winning a back-to-back with Nathaniel and you cannot leave that unnoticed. No other person knows the well-being of a horse than their trainer. If he is excited about the colt, then I will take note.


Farhh is also to be supplemented for the Qipco Sussex Stakes at Glorious Goodwood. He won the Thirsk Hunt Cup earlier in the season and his form looks ideal for him to be favourite in other Group One races.


However, seeing as Godolphin has decided to race him against Frankel, the horse's ability cannot be questioned. 


Quick Quiz:


In what years did Dahlia and Swain become dual winners of the King George? 






Also published at: @valuehorsetips - Follow me every Thursday on their blog for 'Thursday Thoughts from Abby Rugg'.

"HOW FARHH WILL FRANKEL WIN?"

The world's top-rated horse - err who is that again - oh yes, Frankel, is expected to compete against another classy horse in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood on August 1. 

News has circulated around the media about the latest horse to have a go at beating the superstar: Farhh, the runner-up in the Eclipse Stakes at Sandown, will line up aside Frankel in a few weeks. 

Frankie Dettori will be saddling Farhh and I am sure quite a crowd will gather to see whether Frankel can pull out a mind-blowing 12th successful victory. 

Farhh ran last year's King George winner, Nathaniel, to half a length at Sandown but was unfortunate in finishing third in the Prince Wales' Stakes at Royal Ascot. 

It seems that the horse's form will be ideal to place him as favourite in other Group One races, yet Godolphin has decided to set him against wonder-horse Frankel.


Why do you think that was decided? Maybe the team thinks that Farhh will produce some magic on the day. Nevertheless I am sure an exciting race will happen at Glorious Goodwood. 

Frankel won the Sussex Stakes last year and is hoping to maintain his 'world-number one' status by making it 12-out-of-12 wins. 

However, Farhh has only raced five times to date and has previously lined up with Sir Henry Cecil's colt at Doncaster. He was sadly withdrawn at the stalls at the beginning of the race. (Frankel, at no surprise, did win the race by 13 lengths).

I tweeted: "Frankel or Farhh on August 1st at Goodwood?" And I did receive a few replies. 100% of answers being "Frankel". Or "Abby that's a dumb question". 


But my favourite one of all came from the Racing Post's sub-editor, Ross Clarke (@Rossclarke123): "How Farhh will Frankel win? About six lengths I reckon".