Ground key to Marlowe Derby run John Gosden's potential Investec Derby contender Christophermarlowe could still take his chance at Epsom if the ground is suitably quick. The Tapit colt is proven on the undulating Surrey Downs, with wins in a conditions race in September and a reappearance victory in the Derby Trial in April. Christophermarlowe was subsequently beaten in the Lingfield Derby Trial, but Gosden is keen to put that run down to the ground. The Clarehaven handler, who saddled the one-two in the Dante at York with Golden Horn and Jack Hobbs, said: "He's fine, he just found the ground sticky and holding. "He's got an easy action. He flicks his toe out, very much in the style of an American horse - he is American-bred, after all. "We'll wait for good to firm ground before we run him again, so I'd have no worry about waiting for the King Edward VII at Ascot. "If it happened to come up fast for the Derby then he could still run as we know he acts on the track. I know they water so it's good ground on the Friday, but if it was baking hot it could soon dry up quickly."
