Horse Racing
Season
Deutsches Derby - Form Comments

30/06/2023 14:55

G1 – 2400m – Turf

1

Straight

From a trainer looking for his sixth victory in this G1 Classic, and Straight staked his claim with a stylish 2200m G2 victory at Cologne in June – quickening clear. That was a clear career best. Chance.

2

Mr Hollywood

From the stable that won this in 2021 and he was the decisive winner of a 2000m G3 at Munich in May. Didn’t build on that when second in a Cologne G2 in June.  Slow ground would help.

3

Fantastic Moon

Thriving and, always travelling powerfully, was the decisive winner of a 2000m G3 at Baden-Baden in May, with the third having won a G2 since. Good chance especially if this longer trip proves a plus.

4

Nachtgeist

Has been brought along slowly and looks to be progressing judging by his third in a 2200m G2 at Cologne, finishing strongly and giving the impression that the rise to this trip would be positive.

5

Winning Spirit

Had a solid 2yo career, and looks to have improved this year, notably when making steady headway in the last 600m to finish second in the G2 Italian Derby (2200m) at The Capannelle in May.

6

Napolitano

Trained by a multiple winning German Derby trainer, he led for most of the way in a 2200m G2 at Cologne but faded late on. More needed.

7

Pivotal Trigger

A front-running type who was a close third in a Longchamp G3 last September and battled hard to hold on in a minor event at Roscommon on his 2023 return. Rises in trip but pedigree is long on stamina.

8

Skylo

A soft-ground maiden winner at Cologne in April and ran respectably when fifth in a 2200m Cologne G2 on his latest start, racing prominently until fading in the closing battle.

9

See Paris

Came close to winning a 1600m G3 at Cologne last October. This season’s performances have not been inspiring and the big move up in trip will need to assist.

10

Vintage Moon

May have been excuses for a dismal display at Cologne last time, dropping right out of contention. His second in a Baden-Baden G3 previously had been much more encouraging.

11

Sirjan

Led throughout to win an 1800m G3 at The Capannelle last October, but looked to struggle on the very testing ground there in May. Had appeared to stay this trip at Longchamp previously.

12

Merkur

Bounced back from a dismal run on heavy ground to win a fast-ground Listed trial for this event, easily outclassing eight rivals at Dusseldorf. Stamina for this trip looks assured.

13

Aspirant

Well beaten on recent starts, racing prominently in a G2 at Cologne on his most recent effort but proving unable to quicken in the closing stages.

14

If Not Now

From an astute UK stable, this colt has won two of his three starts, and, though it was not a strong contest, he completely dominated a three-runner Sandown handicap in May. Worth a try at this G1.

15

Weracruz

Was well on top in the closing stages of a 2200m Listed even at Hanover in May. But she never looked like winning a Cologne G2 subsequently. Likely to struggle against colts here.

16

Lips Freedom

Winner of a minor event but struggling when raised in class and, though not disgraced when fifth in the G2 Italian Derby on heavy ground in May, plenty more would be needed here.

17

Quality Road

Improved from a poor effort in a G3 at Baden-Baden to finish second of nine in a Listed trial for this at Dusseldorf in June. More needed though from a multiple German Derby winning stable.

18

Wales

Has experience on his side, gaining his first win on his penultimate start and scoring again the next time, but all runs so far have come in minor events. This will be much tougher.

19

Saint Cloud

Briefly looked a threat in a 2000m Baden-Baden G3 in May, but his forward moved petered out. Plenty more required if he is to deliver a shock win here.

20

I Fight For Lips

A maiden winner in March, but has not progressed much from that and dropped out of contention in a G2 at Cologne in June.