Epsom Derby News: Charlie Appleby's "best chance" Nations Pride to be supplemented

The Goldolphin trainer won the Classic last year with Adayar and originally only planned to run Blue Riband Trial winner Nahanni and Lingfield Derby second Walk Of Stars in the Derby.

But after sending Nahanni and Walk Of Stars out for a run in the Cazoo Gallops Morning on Monday, Appleby said that he would be going with a trio at Epsom rather than a duo for the boys in blue.

Teofilo colt Nations Pride has failed to win in only one of his last five starts, and the only non-victory was on debut at Yarmouth where he finished second.

After the seaside second, Nations Pride progressed steadily through a victory at Lingfield and then at Chelmsford to victory in the Jumeirah Derby at Meydan and then to a listed win at Newmarket.

On Friday morning it was confirmed that Godolphin will front the £75,000 to let Nations Pride line up at Epsom.

"He worked on Wednesday with a reliable and very able lead horse and he looked very good. Importantly, he has done well since. I have been delighted with him since the gallop," Appleby told the Godolphin website.

"He has the right profile for Epsom. He's got five runs under his belt, having won the Jumeirah Derby and then taking the Newmarket Stakes, where William (Buick) was very pleased the way he went through the line, which has given us as good an indication as any that the step up to a mile and a half is going to suit him.

"Therefore, we think he deserves to be supplemented on Monday morning."

Nation's Pride's racecourse experience could prove crucial in the face of favourite Desert Crown for instance, who has only raced twice in his career: "On Derby day there's a huge crowd, the fanfare of it all. I feel you have to have experience to take into it.

"Cantering a mile and a half down to the start as well. There's a lot of challenges for a three-year-old early in his career, and the more experience is beneficial, which is what he brings to the table."