Derby also-rans out to make amends

Derby disappointments The Geezer and Kong could seek compensation at Royal Ascot at York after they were among 17 to stand their ground today for the King Edward VII Stakes next Friday.

The former, trained by David Elsworth, finished eighth behind Motivator at Epsom last weekend, having got much closer to him in the Dante Stakes.

John Dunlop’s Kong, the Lingfield Derby Trial winner, was last.

He was just beaten home by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Almighty, who is also still in at York, along with stable companions Yehudi and Indigo Cat.

Sir Michael Stoute could be represented in the mile-and-a-half Group Two contest by impressive Chester winner Mountain High and also by Zalongo.

John Gosden has kept in both Plea Bargain and Wild Savannah, and Mark Johnston has followed suit with Brahminy Kite and Melrose Avenue.

Clive Brittain’s potentially exciting Bahar Shumaal, Belenus, Shannon Springs, First Row, Barabinka and Helvetio, trained by Dermot Weld in Ireland, complete the field.