Horse Racing

Epsom Derby News: Wild card Nations Pride Charlie Appleby's "best chance" if supplemented

Tom ReedTom Reed23 May 2022
Nations Pride

Nations Pride

All eyes were on Nahanni and Walk Of Stars as Charlie Appleby's entries for the Cazoo Epsom Derby 2022 but Nations Pride has emerged as a wild card who could be supplemented for the English Classic.

It seemed Charlie Appleby was only going to eneter Nahanni and Walk Of Stars for the Cazoo Epsom Derby but Nations Pride has emerged as a wild card who could be supplemented for the English Classic on June 4.

Godolphin lead trainer Appleby sent Nahanni and Walk Of Stars out on a pre-Derby exercise run on the Epsom Downs on Monday but hinted that Teofilo colt Nations Pride could be his best hope if lining up.

Frankel colt Nahanni is 20/1 for the Epsom Blue Riband while Dubawi offspring Walk Of Stars is 16/1 for the Group 1 that stablemate Adayar won as an outsider in 2021.

Yet, Nations Pride's seven lengths win in the rather nondescript Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Newmarket Stakes at HQ could prove to be the key piece of form when it comes to Godolphin runners in the 2022 Derby.

A winner of four out of five career starts, Nations Pride's only defeat came on debut at Yarmouth where he finished second.
Sired by top seven furlong performer Teofilo, a mile and two furlongs is as far as Nations Pride has raced but he did keep on strongly in the latest Newmarket romp.
Appleby has some doubts due to the bloodline on Nations Pride naturally handling the one mile, four furlongs of the Derby but connections will consider supplementing at the cost of £75,000 next Monday.
Before that Nations Pride will be given a fitness test on Wednesday for a piece of work which will test his Derby credentials.
Speaking at the Cazoo Derby Gallops Morning, Appleby said: "With Nations Pride, he could turn up and he ticks the most boxes.
"He's only had five runs in his life and is neat and well balanced. Pedigree wise, does he have an abundance of stamina? He will work on Wednesday which will be the defining point.
"Nations Pride is the highest rated and has done little wrong. If I was forced to say which is in with the best chance, he would be the one."
The Epsom Derby is considered the premier English classic and takes place at Epsom racecourse on Saturday, June 4.

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