Derrinstown date for Mourayan

MOURAYAN could bid to get back on the winning trail in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown next month following his defeat at the track on Sunday.

The Alhaarth colt won twice from four starts as a juvenile and was sent off a well-backed favourite on his return to action in the Ballysax Stakes.

After failing to get a run turning for home, the three-year-old finished strongly to take a close-up third behind major Derby fancy Fame And Glory.

“He had a bad run round the bend, which cost him his chance,” reasoned Oxx.

“I’m sure the winner won with a bit up his sleeve but I think it would have been very close if we had got a clear run.

“But then the winner was giving us 5lb, so it was a big effort from him.

“There isn’t a lot between the two of them, I’d say, and it just depends how they go on from here.

“He’s in good form and we hope to run him in the Derrinstown race in three weeks.”

Meanwhile John Gosden’s unbeaten Epsom Derby hope Nehaam is on course for the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York on May 14.

Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum’s son of Nayef has won both his starts to date including the £400,000 Tattersalls Timeform 3-Y-O Trophy at Newmarket last week.

That narrow victory earned him a 16-1 quote for the Epsom Derby and connections are now keen to step him up to the next level with an assignment on the Knavesmire.

The owner’s racing manager Angus Gold said: “We’ve won a lot of money with him and now it’s time to see if he has the class to be a Derby horse.

“We always thought he had ability, but he can be a bit free, so we were delighted to see him settle and travel so well at Newmarket.

“In fact, he travelled so well he may have got there a bit too soon, but he ran on nicely and the pedigree suggests he will stay further.”

There are 67 entries for the Group Two heat with Derby favourite Crowded House, Rip Van Winkle and Gan Amhras all among the possibles at this early stage.