Vodafone Derby Has 15 At Five-Day Stage

The Vodafone Derby, the premier Classic which offers over £1.25 million in prize money on Saturday at Epsom Downs, will have as many as 15 runners after that number were confirmed at today´s five-day stage.

All the main hopes - including the first four in the ante-post betting, Motivator, Dubawi, Oratorio and Gypsy King - go forward for the 12-furlong race.

Harry Herbert, racing manager of the 230-member Royal Ascot Racing Club, said of the favourite: 'I spoke to Michael (Bell - the trainer) this morning and everything is A OK and Motivator is ready to roll.

'Michael is absolutely delighted with the way Motivator is and it is now just a matter of keeping him ticking over. It is very exciting and I hope everything goes smoothly beforehand.

'The smaller the field the better as far as we are concerned because there is then less chance of getting into trouble during the race.

'I hope Johnny (Murtagh) gets a reduction in his ban so he can ride Motivator. He has put so much effort into helping prepare the horse for the Vodafone Derby that it would be pretty desperate to miss the Classic because of a minor riding infringement in an all-weather race.'

Murtagh´s appeal will be heard by the Jockey Club on Wednesday morning, with Darryll Holland on standby if his three-day ban for careless riding is upheld.

The Royal Ascot Racing Club will have a private picnic area for around 200 people (including partners) at Epsom on Saturday,. There will also be other members attending the Vodafone Derby and Herbert expects that some 150 of those involved in the Club will be in attendance. If they win with Motivator, there will be mores owners involved than for the previous 225 Derby victors put together.

Godolphin, besides leaving in second favourite Dubawi, has also confirmed Shamardal who is more likely to run in the French Derby, the Prix du Jockey Club, at Chantilly on Sunday, though Belenus has come out.

Ireland´s champion trainer, Aidan O´Brien, responsible for Oratorio and Gypsy King, also has Almighty and Grand Central engaged. He withdrew three as expected at today´s stage - Falstaff, Indigo Cat and Scorpion.

The Geezer, from David Elsworth´s stable, and the French raider Walk In The Park, trained by John Hammond, have been well supported in the last couple of weeks.

Unbeaten Fracas is the other Irish challenger, coming from David Wachman´s yard, while Hattan, trained by Clive Brittain, the pair from John Dunlop´s stable - Kong and Unfurled - plus the Brian Meehan-trained First Row and the Richard Hannon-handled Kings Quay complete the potential Vodafone Derby field on Saturday, June 4 at Epsom Downs.

Andrew Cooper, director of racing at Epsom Downs, said today: 'I am looking forward hugely to the 2005 Vodafone Derby as it has built up into a fascinating race.

'We began watering again this morning and will put about a quarter of an inch (circa six millimetres) of water on today and tomorrow.

'We had a small amount of rain overnight and virtually missed the showers this morning which is why we are watering. The going should be good after the watering programme has been completed and we will then see what happens. There is the possibility of rain but it could easily miss Epsom.'

The £75,000 Vodafone Dash, one of the excellent supporting races, had 28 confirmed today and this five-furlong handicap offers a £100,000 bonus for breaking the course record.

The Group Three Vodafone Diomed Stakes, the other main supporting race on Vodafone Derby Day, has attracted 16 entries including Grand Emporium, Hurricane Alan, Brunel, Italian hope Prince Kirk and Stream Of Gold.

The four remaining races have all gained even more entries, helping towards a great day of racing at Epsom Downs.