Beast bids for Derby ticket

Genius Beast bids to cement his place in the Investec Derby when he lines-up for the Prix Hocquart at Longchamp on Sunday.

The winner of the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown is one of three main contenders from the Godolphin camp along with Casamento and Ocean War.

The latter has already booked his place in the premier Classic at Epsom on June 4 with two wins at Newmarket this spring.

Connections have yet to decide whether Racing Post Trophy winner Casamento, who cut no ice in the 2000 Guineas, runs at Epsom or goes for the French Derby (Prix du Jockey Club) at Chantilly a day later.

“Genius Beast will run in the Prix Hocquart at Longchamp on Sunday,” racing manager Simon Crisford told www.godolphin.com.

“There is a good German colt (Lindenthaler) but the race looks as though it lacks the strength and depth of the Dante at York and hopefully it will be a good trial for Epsom.

“Casamento will either go straight for the Prix du Jockey Club or Epsom, while Ocean War will head straight to Epsom because he has had two races already this year and doesn’t need another one.

“So we have three horses in the mix for the Investec Derby – one of them will end up in France but we don’t know which one yet.

“We are very happy with how the horses are progressing at the moment. We have some nice three-year-olds and obviously it would be great if we could be competitive in the Investec Derby.”