Mofeed added to Derby field The John Oxx-trained Akeed Mofeed is one of five horses added into the 2012 Investec Derby at the second entry stage. The second entry stage provides connections who did not enter at the initial yearling stage the opportunity to add horses to the premier Classic at a cost of £8,000. The third and final opportunity to enter the Investec Derby comes at the supplementary entry stage on Monday, May 28, when the fee rises to £75,000. Oxx boasts an enviable record in the Investec Derby having won it twice with Sinndar and Sea The Stars, while his only other runner in the race, Alamshar, finished third in 2003. The Curragh trainer has six entries currently engaged in this year's renewal including Akeed Mofeed, who was added at this week's second entry stage. Owned by Jaber Abdullah, the Dubawi colt ran three times last season, winning a seven furlongs Leopardstown maiden in great style as well as a close second in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes over a mile at the Curragh. Akeed Mofeed is 12/1 second favourite for the Investec Derby with William Hill, official betting partner of the 2012 Investec Derby Festival. Oxx revealed: "The Investec Derby is certainly on Akeed Mofeed's radar. It's early days yet - we'll have to get him on the track first and go from there - but it had always been the plan to put him in at the second entry stage. "Everything has gone well with him over the winter. He has done particularly well and everything continued well right through the spring time. He has been working away and is not too far from his first run. "He has always worked well, he's always looked a nice horse and he has shown us plenty at home so when he raced we expected him to do well. "We haven't come to a decision about where he is going to start this season, but we would be leaning towards a 2000 Guineas trial. We want to start him off at a mile and give him a chance at that trip first and then we'll think about the QIPCO 2000 Guineas. He has shown a bit of speed all right, but we will have to put it to the racecourse test. "He also has the Derrinstown Derby Trial as an option at Leopardstown which would be a good follow up from the 2000 Guineas trial. You never know if they will get the Investec Derby trip until the day as there is always a doubt until they are put to the test." David Lanigan's Main Sequence, the Mahmood Al Zarooni pair Mandaean and Swedish Sailor and the Aga Khan-owned Kesampour, trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, have also been added at the second entry stage. The next scratchings deadline for the Investec Derby is on Friday, May 18, at the conclusion of the trials' season. Investec Derby - William Hill bet: 9/4 Camelot, 12/1 Akeed Mofeed, 16/1 Born To Sea, Parish Hall, Top Offer, 20/1 Encke, 25/1 Astrology, Bonfire, David Livingston, Fencing, Imperial Monarch, Kesampour, Mandaean, Mighty Ambition, Swedish Sailor, 33/1 Call To Battle, Ektihaam, Furner's Green, Jungle Beat, Noble Mission, Wrotham Heath, 40/1 Continuum, 50/1 Commitment, Main Sequence, Rougemont (EW 1/4 1,2,3) William Hill spokeswoman Lucy Rhodes said: "Camelot was a short-priced favourite after his impressive display in the Racing Post Trophy and, with his price continuing to contract throughout the winter months, punters clearly don't seem concerned about another potential St Nicholas Abbey situation. "However, there is a long way to go, with numerous key trials en-route to Investec Derby glory, where some exciting challengers will undoubtedly spring to prominence."
