Bull enters Derby picture

David Loder looks to have a exciting Vodafone Derby contender on his hands if Bull Run is supplemented for the Epsom Classic.

The son of Daylami turned the Weatherbys Blue Riband Trial Stakes into a procession under Johnny Murtagh at the Derby track yesterday to earn a 25-1 quote for the big race from Victor Chandler.

Bull Run is now unbeaten in two starts but the colt, who is owned by Sheikh Mohammed, would have to be added to the Derby field at a cost of £75,000 (€112,000).

“After he won his maiden at Windsor, I had thought about leaving him alone for a while and training him for the King Edward VII Stakes,” he said.

“But now I will need to talk to Sheikh Mohammed and find out what he wants to do.

“He might not have beaten that much here, but I was very impressed and faster ground shouldn’t be a problem for him either.

“I felt this race might come a bit quick for him today, but our hand was forced a bit as we were struggling to find another opportunity. We decided to come and I am very pleased.”

Bull Run beat Bowstring by no less than 15 lengths, but Loder already has Andean and Parliament Square in the Derby, and indicated that the first-named may be his most likely representative.

“He is a nice horse and he is in a conditions race at Sandown on Friday, but he won’t run if it is soft ground,” the trainer added. “We’ll try and find a nice maiden for Parliament Square, but Derby plans will all be up to Sheikh Mohammed.”

Loder and Murtagh were denied a double when Bonecrusher was narrowly edged out by Frankie Dettori – himself completing a brace – and favourite Blythe Knight in the Blue Square City and Suburban Stakes.

Dettori brought the winner wide on the home turn to ensure that he would get a pitch on the stands’ rail and the pair edged past leader King’s Thought just over a furlong out.

But as he has done before, Ed Dunlop’s charge found less than expected and was hard pressed to hold on by a short-head.

“I wouldn’t say he was ungenuine as he has just won a City and Suburban, but he does look about a bit when he hits the front,” said Dunlop.

“We might just drop him back in trip now and he will be entered for the Royal Hunt Cup.”

Dettori, now just 5-1 to win the jockeys’ championship with Paddy Power having been 10 times that price only weeks ago, had initiated his double in the opener.

The ever-popular Italian’s greatest ambition left in racing is to win the Derby.

But he is now guaranteed of enjoying at least two victories on the track this year after the Lynda Ramsden-trained Cape Royal took the Blue Square 0800 587 0200 Handicap.