Hollie Doyle: Don’t write off Constitution River despite French Derby draw | Racing News

Our ambassador reveals her thoughts on Sunday’s French Derby, live on Sky Sports Racing, and marks your card for Saturday’s features at Chester and Beverley.

French Derby hope Hankelow has Classic credentials

Being sidelined with a broken leg means I’ll be glued to Sky Sports Racing on Sunday to watch a stellar renewal of the French Derby, the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (3.30) at Chantilly, which sees the re-appearance of Karl Burke’s exciting colt HANKELOW.

The son of Night Of Thunder has the credentials to become a Classic winner. He ran a huge race in the French Guineas at ParisLongchamp on his re-appearance and promises to be even more effective over this longer trip with a plum draw in stall one potentially giving him the edge.

River’s wide draw doesn’t worry me

It’s a shame Aidan O’Brien’s trio have all been handed difficult draws, not least his biggest hope Constitution River, who must overcome the worst starting position of all in stall 16. Aidan’s voiced his concern with it being his first race going into a right-hand bend but I don’t think it will be a problem for his talented jockey Ryan Moore.

Constitution River is the most impressive winner of a trial we’ve seen so far when taking the Dee Stakes and connections have made no secret about how highly regarded he is at Ballydoyle, so don’t be too quick to write him off just because of his draw.

Stable companion Hawk Mountain has done nothing wrong, supplementing last season’s Group 1 Futurity win with a successful re-appearance at Chantilly. He’ll wear blinkers for the first time after showing signs of immaturity which will help him out so I can see him going well, too.

Daryzan, the once-raced half-brother to Arc hero Daryz, made a sparkling debut at Saint Cloud on soft ground and spearheads the home challenge. He has so much raw ability but does lack experience in comparison to some of his rivals and needs to cope with the forecast quicker ground as well as a step up in distance.

Balding colt has the Grit to excel

I’ll also be enjoying some competitive action in Britain on Saturday including the British Stallion Studs EBF Novice Stakes (1.50) at Chester on Sky Sports Racing, which sees the re-appearance of Andrew Balding’s promising colt PURE GRIT.

Andrew and his stable jockey Oisin Murphy have such a strong record around the Roodee which can be enhanced by this son of Pinatubo, who did nothing wrong on his debut at Newbury a couple of weeks ago when he caught my eye.

I expect him to be more street wise for that experience and marginally prefer him to George Boughey’s colt This Moment, who also finished second on his racecourse debut. He was very green at Hamilton but was doing his best work late in the race and will be a lot straighter this time.

Class dropper Bay looks ideally drawn

Ralph Beckett has found a good opening for class dropper PALMAR BAY in the feature race at Chester on Saturday, the Virgin Bet Handicap (3.30).

A course and distance winner, he’s run with credit in Listed company on his last four starts including behind the 115-rated Lake Forest at Haydock Park three weeks ago and should appreciate this drop in grade from an ideal draw in stall five.

Also well berthed is my boss Archie Watson’s Elements Of Fire, who was a shade disappointing over 6f at Ascot last time but had won his previous three races over this longer distance. I think he’ll prove very tractable around Chester’s tight turns which will suit him if he can get to the lead.

Cosmic ready for Ascot dress rehearsal

There will be no shortage of Royal Ascot clues at Beverley on Saturday with the renewal of the Hilary Needler Trophy EBF Fillies’ Conditions Stakes (2.15) preceding the colts’ trial.

Archie Watson unveils Havana Grey filly COSMIC MYSTERY with the Royal Meeting in mind. An expensive breeze-up purchase, she will need to win or go close to fulfil Wathnan Racing’s short-term ambitions but has been pleasing everyone at home and is well drawn.

She may have the most to fear from Richard Hannon’s Rollthedicebaby whose debut second at Goodwood has worked out well. The winner Armor Supreme went close in the Listed Marygate at York earlier this month so that form’s been given a timely boost.

Well-drawn Matteo a worthy favourite

Kevin Ryan has some potentially smart juveniles in his armoury and his MATTEO is a worthy favourite in the Beverley Two-Year-Old Trophy EBF Conditions Stakes (2.48) on the Westwood.

The son of Coulsty simply destroyed the field on his course and distance debut, looking very straightforward, and has a great draw in gate one with track experience another big plus.

The Dancing Pirate went off favourite at Newmarket, running a good race in fourth, so I wouldn’t be surprised if Andrew Balding’s contender improved massively, while Richard and Peter Fahey’s Newcastle winner Big Cigar looks a fine big horse who could also run a huge race.

Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing’s Simon Mapletoft.