April 18th, 2016 | 
Author: Middleham trainer Mark Johnston holds a very strong hand in the Landwades Stud Nell Gwyn…
2.30 Epsom, Wednesday, April 19
The fact that Aidan O’Brien sends Claudio Monteverdi across the Irish Sea for the Investec Derby Trial (2.30) at Epsom on Wednesday as his sole representative of the afternoon may be a hint worth taking. The Galileo colt has raced exclusively over a mile so far, but has suggested on all three starts that the step up to middle distances will be in his favour. He confirmed the promise of his never-nearer fourth of 25, beaten 4¼ lengths, behind Embiran in a maiden at the Curragh last month when comfortably winning a similar race at Leopardstown two weeks ago and looks a force to be reckoned with, despite his relative inexperience. Indeed, the form of his Leopardstown win has already been franked by stable companion The Gurkha, who hacked up by 9 lengths in a Navan maiden on Sunday so, provided he handles the idiosyncrasies of Epsom, he appears to have an outstanding chance.
Selection: Epsom 2.30 Claudio Monteverdi to win