BARRY HILLS wakes up today with a lively outsider for the Investec Derby after Slumber’s success at Epsom yesterday.
The Newmarket trainer is eyeing Chester first before any Classic bid, but there is no doubting another success there would give connections sleepless nights over whether to supplement the three-year-old for the Investec Derby on June 4.
Although Slumber does not even hold an entry in the Colts’ Classic he is a 33-1 chance with Coral and less than half that price with some firms.
That follows his impressive success in yesterday’s Investec Derby Trial at Epsom, when he quickening away from the field early in the home straight to score by three and a half lengths.
Slumber (7-1) had finished in mid-division on his only previous start at Newbury last season but looked a different proposition yesterday.
Hills generally does well on the Roodee and the Chester Vase at next month’s May Festival will tell connections more about whether they need to supplement the Cacique colt. Hills’ son and assistant Charlie said: “It was a nice surprise as we really brought him here to get a bit more experience.
“He’s not in the Derby but the Chester Vase would be the obvious race for him now.
“He had been working nicely at home but we thought he’d need it.
“It was only the second run of his life and he’s still babyish, but that was impressive.”
Jockey Michael Hills added: “It was a devastating pick-up – I was impressed. I don’t know what he beat but he gave me a great feel. He wouldn’t have a problem getting a mile and a half.”
Owner Prince Khalid Abdullah already has the 4-1 Derby favourite Frankel, who is also odds-on to land the first Classic of the campaign, the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket a week on Saturday. While the similarly Henry Cecil-trained World Domination is the second favourite at 8-1 with Sportingbet.
It would cost Abdullah £75,000 to supplement Slumber.
Meanwhile Poker De Sivola is to seek compensation in Saturday’s bet365 Gold Cup at Sandown on Saturday after making an early exit in the Coral Scottish Grand National last weekend.
Trainer Ferdy Murphy, who took both prizes with Hot Weld in 2007, has decided to try for compensation at Sandown with Poker De Sivola.
The eight-year-old was creeping into contention when he unseated Graham Lee at the 11th fence after being badly hampered by the fall of Cold Mountain.
Murphy said: “He came out of it fine. You can’t account for one falling in front of you, but he came out of it grand. He didn’t get a scratch. Graham said he was just getting into the race but that’s the way it goes sometimes. You need a bit of luck. The little horse is well and we’re looking forward to it. He’s fresh and well. He was all ready for the Scottish National – that didn’t work and we had this as a back-up.”
TODAY’S NAP: Final Try (4pm Folkestone).
