Court to rule over Derby rivals

RULING Court can become the first horse since Camelot to win the 2000 Guineas and Betfred Derby in the same season.

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Connections of the Charlie Appleby-trained colt were not even considering running him at Newmarket until a sparking gallop just a few weeks before the first Classic.

He was so impressive in that piece of work that it was thought his best preparation for Epsom would be to run in the Guineas and then once William Buick decided to ride him over champion juvenile Shadow Of Light, the secret was out.

History shows Buick made the right choice, with the horse who split the two Godolphin runners, Field Of Gold who some felt was unlucky, subsequently bolting up in the Irish equivalent to give the form a boost, there is no doubt he brings the best credentials to the race.

There seems to be plenty who doubt his ability to stay a mile and a half but given barely over a month ago the Derby was his main aim and not the Guineas, Appleby and his team must have viewed him as a stayer over the winter. And his sire Justify has already had a Derby winner in City Of Troy.