Global Weekly Review: Time needed for accurate Epsom rating

The 238th G1 Derby at Epsom was won by an improving colt, Wings Of Eagles, who had previously won only a two-year-old maiden at Killarney, Co Kerry, in the south-west of Ireland. 

He had been beaten in four other starts, yet displayed a glimmer of potential when a creditable second in the G3 Chester Vase, in which he was staying on strongly at the finish.

It is also worth mentioning that he was fifth of six in the pecking order in his own stable, Ballydoyle.

All the above presents itself as evidence that this year's renewal was far from vintage, that there was such an element of surprise in the result as to render it almost irrelevant.

Sadly, this often happens in racing. When the result does not reflect popular pre-race opinion, the race is automatically dismissed.

But, there was no element of fluke about Wings Of Eagles' victory at Epsom on Saturday. If anything, it was reminiscent of his sire Pour Moi's spectacular last-to-first Derby win in 2011.

Wings Of Eagles was 16th of the 18 runners coming around Tattenham Corner. 

Also, the time was very quick. The winner ran the mile and a half (and six yards, officially) in 2 min 33.02 secs, 1.48 secs faster than Racing Post standard time.

It seems that Wings Of Eagles will now venture to the Curragh for the G1 Irish Derby on July 1 while runner-up Cliffs Of Moher will probably have a crack at the older generations in the G1 Coral-Eclipse at Sandown on July 8.

As so many in the Derby line-up were relatively unexposed, the true value of this year's Derby form is going to take a little longer to assess.

The Godolphin trio ran with credit, particularly Benbatl, 5th, whose immediate target may be the G2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Benbatl, a son of Darley stallion star Dubawi, came into the Derby off the back of excellent runs in the G3 Craven Stakes (3rd) and G2 Dante Stakes (2nd), and it would be no surprise to see him make his mark by putting a major win on the board this summer.

Best Solution ran a good race in eighth, racing prominently and moving up to chase the leader over two furlongs out. He probably found the ground a little on the fast side.

Dubai Thunder settled midfield but was seen weakening in the home straight, 11th. A magnificent individual, he will be more at home on his return to a galloping track, and is another requiring some 'give' underfoot.

At Chantilly on Sunday, Brametot came storming down the outside from near last to snatch the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club by a short head from Waldgeist and, thus, complete a memorable French 2,000 Guineas/Derby double. He also won the Guineas by a short head.