Derby run looking 'likely' for Salford

Salford City has been trimmed in the betting for the Vodafone Derby after pleasing connections in a racecourse gallop at Epsom this morning.

The Desert Sun colt was cut to 14-1 from 16’s by William Hill for the June 5 Classic after working over 10 furlongs with two stablemates.

The winner of the Lane’s End Greenham Stakes was ridden in his work by Johnny Murtagh and was accompanied by Massif Centrale (Dane O’Neil), who was among the Derby acceptors at the latest forfeit stage but is not a certain runner, and Bi Polar.

“It was most satisfactory,” said trainer David Elsworth of Salford City’s handling of the track’s unique undulations.

“We have trained him since the Guineas so that we could run in Derby if we wanted to and it is looking increasingly likely that he will.

“He hasn’t run since the Guineas and this outing can only have done him good. The owner (Michael Tabor) is quite keen to run and there is only one Derby.”