Epsom old boy Roger Teal is “very excited’ about having his first runner in the £1.5 million Betfred Derby.
Teal, who spent many years as assistant to trainer Philip Mitchell at his stable near the Derby start, now trains on his own in Lambourn. He returned to his former stomping ground on Tuesday to test his Classic-placed colt Dancing Gemini around Tattenham Corner as the course hosted its Derby Gallops morning.
He enjoyed a 7f spin under William Cox alongside the sprinter Chipstead, the pair fnishing together. Teal said: “I was very happy, He looked good coming down the Hill to me and I just wanted to confirm with William what he felt.
“He was delighted and said he handled the track beautifully. He only ran nine days ago so the whole point was just to give him a feel of the layout of the track.” Dancing Gemini finished second, beaten half a length, in the French 2,000 Guineas and had the option of running in the French Derby instead of stepping up half a mile in distance.
Teal added: “We are going to roll our sleeves up and come here. It’s very tempting to go back to France but it would be lovely to have a crack at the English Derby.
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“To come here with a live contender is wonderful. We are all excited about having a crack at our own Derby rather than run across the Channel.
“He’s a very speedy horse but he’s also got the breeding to be a mile-and-a-halfer. His Dad won the Derby and he is out of an Australia mare. He’s bred to get the trip and he has such a relaxed manner that you can put him to sleep and hopefully use his burst of speed towards the end of the race. On paper he has more of a chance of staying than he hasn’t.”
Roger Teal: confirmed Dancing Gemini will run in the Derby (PA)With Godolphin’s challenge weakened by setbacks to the stable’s best hopes and doubts over the favourite City Of Troy living up to expectations, the Derby has a more open feel to it.
Teal, who said Dylan Browne McMonagle would keep the mount, said: "There will be good horses wherever we go but the field has thinned out and it does help a little bit. Godolphin have lost two major contenders. It’s an open field so this is the year to have a crack.
“I have lots of good memories here. I literally worked across from the Derby start and used to stand in Philip’s garden for years and watch the runners go by.
“It’s nice being on the other side of the fence. I probably won’t sleep much for a few days before the race. It’s very exciting to be involved, which is something I’d never thought I would.”
He continued: “Dylan has bought into what we are doing. He believes in the horse, especially after riding him in France. He’s a cool cookie and that’s what you need on big days.”
Latest Derby odds (William Hill) : 7-4 City Of Troy, Economical (with a run), 5-1 Ambiente Friendly, 13-2 Los Angeles, 16 Macduff, Ancient Wisdom, Diego Velazquez, 20 bar
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