Derby fever maybe be behind closed doors , but it will be still a great renewal Andrew Nelis

The build-up to the 241st running of the Investec Derby has been one quite like never before.

The coronavirus pandemic led to original entries, dating back to the end of 2018 when 356 yearling were entered, being scrapped, while traditional key trials such as the Dante and Chester Vase have not taken place.

Sandown’s Classic Trial was run, but at Kempton, while Lingfield’s Derby Trial also survived, but with runners from Ireland and further afield barred from taking part.

Races at Royal Ascot, usually staged a fortnight or so after the Derby, took place a fortnight before, presenting themselves as unusual stepping stones towards potential Classic stardom.

The Irish Derby took place over the weekend, the first time it had been staged before its Epsom counterpart, and on the big day itself jockeys will be able to warm-up by riding in the Investec Oaks. It will be the first time the Oaks and Derby have been run on the same day, and possibly the first time two British Classics have been run in the space of just over an hour.

Some things do not change. Aidan O’Brien is seeking a record eighth win in the race and again promises to have multiple runners, even if his final team will not match the eight challengers he fielded in 2007..

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Fury to contest the St Ledger Doncaster Andrew Nelis

Trainer Richard Spencer has identified the St Leger at Doncaster as the primary objective for his exciting colt Tyson Fury. The Newmarket handler confirmed in February of last year that the two-time heavyweight world champion had given his blessing for the Iffraaj colt to be named in his honour, with part-owner Phil Cunningham friendly with a member of Fury's team. While it has taken a while for the equine Tyson Fury to hit the racecourse, he produced a knockout display on his Doncaster debut earlier in the month, leaving connections dreaming of a tilt at Classic glory later in the year... Andrew Nelis Racing

Epsom Derby Runners and riders 2020 Andrew Nelis

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Enable looks to eclipse as next port of call Sandown Andrew Nelis

The Coral -Eclipse at Sandown remains the most likely comeback target for superstar mare Enable . The daughter of Nathaniel was just denied in her bid for an historic third consecutive victory in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at the end of last season, filling the runner-up spot behind Waldgeist to end her sequence of 12 straight victories. Less than a fortnight later, Enable’s owner-breeder Khalid Abdullah delighted racing fans by confirming his charge would stay in training as a six-year-old – with a return to Paris in the autumn top of the agenda. Connections decided against an appearance at Royal Ascot, but the owner’s racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe reports the John Gosden -trained mare to be firmly on course for the Eclipse on July 5 following a pleasing workout under Frankie Dettori last week. “It’s been a gradual build-up – she’s a six-year-old mare, so I don’t think John wants to do anything too quickly,” Grimthorpe told Sky Sports Racing. “She’s ...

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