Elsworth Hoping To Realise Classic Dream

David Elsworth has achieved great success in his training career - mostnotably with the likes of Desert Orchid and Persian Punch - and has sent out big-race winners over Flat and jumps with often ridiculous ease.

But the absence of a Classic success rankles and there would be no finer place to end the drought than Epsom this weekend with The Geezer in the Vodafone Derby.

'I have got a bit of an ego and I can´t say I wouldn´t mind winning the race,' the Whitsbury handler smiles. 'We´ve come very close over the years, finishing in the frame three times.

'Last year I thought we were going to do it when Salford City went rushing into the lead two furlongs out but he faded quickly, and of course we found out later that he had a problem with his breathing.'

The Geezer, second to ante-post favourite Motivator in the Dante Stakes, has already received one important vote of confidence in the run-up to the premier Classic as he has been selected by jockey Richard Quinn, who had the choice of three possible rides.

As well as being in the saddle when the Halling colt chased home Motivator at York, Quinn won two of the Derby´s key prep races, the Predominate Stakes aboard Unfurled and the Lingfield Derby Trial on Kong.

John Dunlop, the trainer of Kong and Unfurled, has quickly been able to find suitable replacement riders for both horses.

But Quinn´s selection is a significant boost for supporters of The Geezer and even more so the Scot´s assertion that 'wherever Motivator finishes at Epsom, we´ll be in front of him'.

Statistics are not in his favour, for although the Dante has in recent years been the best trial for Epsom, one has to go some way back through the record books to find a horse who has run in the race and failed to win before taking the Derby.

But Elsworth has been around long enough to know that statistics are a load of names and numbers and he reckons he is going into the race with 'a solid each-way chance'.

'It´s funny really,' he explains. 'Because at the start of the season I had thought that the horse who would give me my best chance in the race was Top Gear, but he has injured a leg quite badly and here we are.

'I´ve never been too keen on The Geezer as a name for a horse, but if he wins the race then I´ll forgive him all right.

'It´s been described as an open-looking Derby this year and I don´t think I would disagree with that.

'He stays very well and he´s got a solid temperament. The question really is whether he is good enough and I don´t know that. Nobody does yet.

'What I can say is that he has progressed with every race he´s had and he will be going to Epsom in the form of his life.

'Personally, I think I might have a better chance in the Oaks with my filly Something Exciting.

'She is in very good form - in fact, I backed them in a double the other day at very long odds.

'If they both win, I´ll probably retire on the money!'

? PA Sport