Parade Ring on Derby Day

By Simon Jackson.

Trainer Denis Coakley is targeting the Group 3 Lillie Langtry Stakes at Glorious Goodwood next month with Epsom winner Miss Marjurie.

The two and a half-length victory in the Class 2, 12 furlong contest followed a good run when second on her reappearance at Newmarket in early May.

At Epsom the four-year-old travelled in the midfield under apprentice Oisin Murphy before improving three furlongs out to challenge the leader. She hit the front two furlongs out and quickened well under the 3lb claimer to win easily.

“She’s done it well,” Coakley said. “The young lad has given her a great ride, although I did think I’d be giving him a piece of my mind after the race as she’s hit the front very early.

“That wasn’t his fault though, as she’s had a dream run through on the inside and found herself in front a bit too soon.

“We may get into the race at Royal Ascot now [Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes] as she wasn’t quite high enough in the handicap to get in but she might now.

“The ultimate plan is the Lillie Langtry Stakes at Goodwood though. She’s a three-parts sister to [multiple Group 1 winner] Soviet Song so we’d love to get a bit of black type.

“It’s not been a bad season. We’ve won the Victoria Cup at Ascot [Gabriel’s Lad] and now we’ve had a winner at the Derby meeting. We all want big winners at the big meetings – it’s what we’re in it for.

“We’ve got about 20 horses now at home and I’m delighted for the owner Chris Van Hoorn as he’s been very loyal to me throughout the years.”

Glorious Goodwood is also the target for Epsom winner Ashpan Sam, who is being aimed at the Stewards’ Cup after leading all the way for Ryan Moore to land the Class 2, six furlong finale on Derby Day.

“He has seen it out very well,” trainer John Spearing said. “He has improved and he broke very well. He was in front and it was easy for him after that. He handled the track and trip really well.

“I thought he would be much better on softer ground. I didn’t think he got enough rain but he has done it well.

“I will look at the Stewards’ Cup as the track will suit him well. Ryan has wanted to ride the horse and thought he would win a decent race.”

Moore added: “He jumped two lengths clear of them and it was quite straightforward from there on. He hit the gates well and I didn’t hassle him. I was going very fast but I didn’t actually have to ask to do it.

“The last furlong was long enough but he is a very honest horse and this fast track suited him but I would have liked more rain.”

Read ‘Horse Talk with Simon Jackson’ at London24 for the latest horse racing news.