Fallon chooses King for Derby
Kieren Fallon will ride Dee Stakes winner Gypsy King in Saturday’s Vodafone Derby with Mick Kinane taking the mount on stablemate Oratorio.
Fallon’s mount has been the subject of great speculation during the last few days but he has finally decided to partner the Sadler’s Wells colt, who remains a 4-1 chance with Ladbrokes.
Aidan O’Brien will also saddle Almighty (Pat Smullen) and Grand Central (Jimmy Fortune) after a total of 14 were declared for the premier Classic.
Ante-post favourite Motivator has stood his ground with the Michael Bell-trained colt having headed the market since winning the Dante Stakes at York last month, and he is a general 5-2 shot for the 12-furlong showpiece.
In addition to O’Brien’s quartet, Irish interests will also be represented by the David Wachman-trained Fracas, winner of two Classic trials this season.
Godolphin rely on Irish 2000 Guineas winner Dubawi and they have taken out French Guineas winner Shamardal as expected.
He was the only withdrawal at the final declaration stage and is due to run in Sunday’s French Derby instead.
John Dunlop will be double-handed with Lingfield Derby Trial winner Kong and Predominate Stakes winner Unfurled while David Elsworth runs the Dante runner-up The Geezer.
The John Hammond-trained Walk In The Park is the sole French raider while Clive Brittain has declared the Chester Vase winner Hattan.
Outsiders First Row and Kings Quay complete the line-up.
Gypsy King, Dubawi and Motivator have all been drawn next to each other in stalls three, four and five with 250-1 shot Kings Quay getting the rail draw in one.
Unfurled will start widest of all in stall 14 with Fracas next door in 13.
Ladbrokes keep Motivator as the 5-2 favourite while they have clipped Oratorio into 6-1 from 7-1.
Ladbrokes: 5-2 Motivator, 4-1 Gypsy King, 5-1 Dubawi, 6-1 Oratorio, 10-1 The Geezer, 12-1 Grand Central, Walk In The Park, 14-1 Fracas, 25-1 Hattan, Kong, 40-1 Unfurled, 50-1 Almighty, 150-1 First Row, 250-1 Kings Quay.
