Ancient Egypt enters Derby picture Ancient Egypt demonstrated his Classic credentials with a return to form in the JCB Newmarket Stakes on the Rowley Mile. The Amo Racing-owned Frankel colt cost 1,100,000 guineas as a yearling and was sent to the Yorkshire stable of Charlie Johnston before winning his first two starts as a juvenile. He was then well-beaten in the Royal Lodge but he remained highly regarded by connections and proved them right on his seasonal debut with a smart two-length victory under Rowan Scott as the 16-1 outsider. “Once he’d won his two novices we felt he had to dip our toe in the water at a higher grade at the back end of last year but I always felt we might be trying to run before we could walk,” said Johnston. Faith in High-Priced Prospect “He’s still a baby and he is learning the job slowly, it was a disappointing run (in the Royal Lodge) but I didn’t lose faith in the horse. “This spring both Rowan and David (Egan) have been in to sit on him and the feedback has been that we should be going a mile and a half straight away, the original plan had been to go to Chester next week. “He worked with Lazy Griff last Saturday and I thought he was in great order so we shouldn’t bypass this opportunity. “He’ll stay the extra two furlongs standing on his head, his next run will be at Epsom. “He is growing up all the time, it will be a very different occasion for him there. He’s got a nice blend of speed and stamina and that’s what you need for that test. Delivering Under Price Tag Pressure “I’m delighted, I don’t get sent many horses with this type of price tag so to deliver with them is important.” Ancient Egypt has been cut from 66-1 to 33-1 for the Derby by Paddy Power. The William Haggas-trained Earth Shot may be destined for bigger things after a comfortable victory in the Darley EBF Maiden Fillies’ Stakes. The Time Test filly was second to stablemate My Ophelia on her debut last season and returned to action as a 10-11 favourite under Tom Marquand. In a field of seven she was an easy five-length winner and may now be aimed in the direction of Epsom for the Oaks in June. Epsom Ambitions for Earth Shot “It probably wasn’t a strong race for the type of race but she did it very nicely,” said Haggas. “I think she wants slow-ish ground, she ran a very good race on heavy ground but she handled it quicker today and handled the undulations well – she won comfortably. “The owners (Childwickbury Stud) sponsor the mile-and-a-quarter fillies’ race on Lockinge day so I suspect we’ll have a go there and see if she’s worthy of a place on June 5 (at Epsom). “She didn’t look like she was stopping today and the dam’s progeny have stayed very well, I’ve no doubt she’ll get the trip but whether she’s quite ready for a test like we’ll see.” Saber Strike Completes Haggas Treble Haggas and Marquand enjoyed a treble on the card, with Santorini Star taking the feature Jockey Club Stakes and Saber Strike then landing the Listed Pertemps Network King Charles II Stakes. The 11-2 chance was running for the second time having landed his debut at Redcar last year, and impressed with a length-and-a-quarter strike. “He has been doing very well, and I was comforted by the way his workmate (Division) ran at Ascot – he probably should have won the Pavilion Stakes,” said Haggas. “This horse is inexperienced. We’ve had a debate about the trip, the team think he is a miler and I think he is a sprinter. “To me he is a Jersey Stakes type of horse. He will come on a lot for that experience.”
