Derby Festival News
Friday 6th & Saturday 7th June 2014

Something to Sing About with Western Hymn
16/05/14

With Aidan O'Brien's Australia now odds-on favourite to win the Epsom Derby on June 7, it certainly makes sense to look around for an each-way value alternative, and John Gosden may have something to sing about with Western Hymn.

Western Hymn
© Racehorse Photos

Unbeaten in all three career starts, he was last seen when successfully stepping up to Group Three company in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on April 25, and Ladbrokes are offering the top price of 14/1 at time of writing for the Investec Derby.

John Gosden’s charge was still arguably a bit green when making slightly hard work of winning, but this was on soft ground and did involve him hitting the front sooner than ideal.

In his race previous on firmer going at Newbury, Western Hymn was far more impressive when defeating Lingfield Derby Trial winner Snow Sky, putting the race to bed in a matter of strides.

If there is a solid early pace at Epsom, this will certainly aid his cause and, if the rain stays away, there is every chance that Western Hymn will show the exhilarating turn of foot that won him his first two starts.

Gosden hasn’t trained a Derby winner since Benny The Dip in 1997 and all six of his runners in the past decade have not even managed to make the places. It's about time for a change of luck.

When you take into consideration that the last 10 Derby winners have triumphed in the highest grade that they had competed in, we would suggest that Australia is not a penalty kick for the Derby.