Epsom Derby News: Game on for Roger Varian's Eydon
- Tom Reed
- 1 June 2022
Newmarket handler Roger Varian has announced Eydon, fourth in the Guineas, will run in the Epsom Derby on Saturday, June 4, rather than the French Derby at Chantilly.
Roger Varian's Eydon is set to run in the Cazoo Epsom Derby on Saturday, June 4 after the Newmarket handler decided against a French foray to the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.
The Olden Times colt will step up to one mile, four furlongs for the first time after finishing fourth in the QIPCO 2000 Guineas at Newmarket behind Charlie Appleby's Coroebus.
David Egan, Eydon's rider in the Guineas said that his mount had come unblanced in the dip. Therefore, with a little more luck in running and on the condition he stays, Eydon could outrun his double figure odds in the Classic at Epsom on Saturday, June 4.
Eydon has run four times to date, placing at Newcastle twice, before breaking his duck at Newmarket in the Listed bet265 Feilden Stakes in April. That victory at HQ came at an eye-catching three and a quarter lengths over fellow Derby entrant Masekela of Owen Burrows.
Roger Varian's charge went clear inside the final furlong and won comfortably on the Rowley Mile at HQ in the style of a horse that could have Derby credentials.
Yet, that lack of experience over the Derby distance is a significant one but a trainer of Varian's calibre would obviously not make a Derby entry lightly and the the Guineas fourth shows Eydon does have speed.
Varian said: "I'm pleased to say the horse is in great form and following discussions with his owner, Prince A A Faisal, we plan to run in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday and not the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday."
Eydon was able to have a run around Epsom on last week's Gallops Morning and is available at 25/1 for Saturday's Classic.
The Epsom Derby is known as the "greatest show on turf" and takes place at Epsom racecourse in Surrey on Saturday, June 4.
The Group 1 race is run over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and ten yards and is worth a hefty £850,060 to the winner.
18 runners are due to go to post on Saturday with the race live on ITV Racing and also screened across the world.
To update you on our plans with Eydon, regarding Derby choice: I'm pleased to say the horse is in great form, and following discussions with his owner, Prince A A Faisal, we plan to run in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday and not the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday
— Roger Varian (@varianstable) May 31, 2022
