Mellish: Constitution River "the best horse in the Derby"

Constitution River was the new ante-post favourite for the Betfred Derby for a few hours on Sunday morning after attracting significant market support.

Aidan O'Brien's charge impressed in the Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes at Chester on his return to action in May and was backed into a best-priced 3-1 for the Epsom Classic on June 6. 

The three-year-old was the general 5-2 chance with other firms, including Paddy Power, and had been 6-4 with the same bookmakers for the Prix du Jockey Club, before drifting out to 5-1 for the French Classic. 

Stablemate Benvenuto Cellini, who was the ante-post favourite for the Betfred Derby before Constitution River attracted support, moved out to 7-2, and had been cut to 4-1 (from 10-1) for the French Derby on May 31.

However, Aidan O'Brien revealed to Gary O'Brien on Racing TV on Sunday at the Curragh that Constitution River is not a definite runner at Epsom.

O'Brien suggested there has been no change of plan with his key Classic hopefuls despite the significant market move, and the master of Ballydoyle had previously hinted the impressive Dee Stakes winner would head to Chantilly for next Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club, rather than join the crack team of colts assembled for Epsom a week later.

Speaking at the Curragh on Sunday, a surprised O’Brien said: “I thought everyone was leaning towards the French Derby with Constitution River but I didn’t hear that (the market drift).

“I thought that’s the way (the French Derby) it was going for Constitution River, along with Hawk Mountain and Montreal.

“We are thinking Benvenuto Cellini, Pierre Bonnard and the placed horses in the Dante (Action and Christmas Day) are the ones for Epsom but it could change.”

The form of Constitution River’s Chester victory was given a timely boost by Karl Burke’s Golden Story at Goodwood on Saturday, with the colt now as big as 5-1 for the French Derby having been as short as 6-4 favourite with Paddy Power.

When discussing the Betfred Derby on Racing TV on Saturday evening, Racing TV pundit Steve Mellish said he believes Constitution River would be "the best horse going into the race", and thinks the Ballydoyle team will run their son of Wootton Bassett at Epsom. 

Mellish said: "This year’s Derby is fascinating. I hope, and I still half-think they will, run Constitution River. I thought he was really impressive at Chester. I think he would be the best horse going into the race.

"Aidan O’Brien has been quoted as saying that this horse will give him a headache by having to choose between Benvenuto Cellini and Constitution River (if that horse was aimed at Epsom). 

"I think the reason most people think the prices are separated as they are (between Benvenuto Cellini and Constitution River) is because most people think Constitution River is going to go to France (for the French Derby). If he does run (at Epsom), he will be vying for favouritism."

Mellish also discussed the Betfred Oaks on Racing TV on Saturday, and it's the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes winner who is catching his eye.

Mellish said: "At this stage, I like Legacy Link in the Oaks. I think 1m4f will suit her, and I think her form matches up with most of them. I’m a bit underwhelmed with Amelia Earhart. She might win, but I didn’t think it was a great race that she won at Chester. She’s clearly got her quirks as well."