Today and tomorrow could see shake-ups in the Derby/Oaks markets.

BTW good shout Aid (I think it was you) on TAJAAWEED who I think I 
remember you mentioning early last month as a possible Derby outsider. 
Won well in the Dee stakes and I've got a free bet on him now after he 
was slashed from around 50's to 16's - cheers ears, another one in the 
portfolio ;-)

I mentioned Curtain Call a little while back simply because he stood out 
on breeding but he has been pulled out today on account of the faster 
ground at Lingfield which is a shame but I think it was the right move 
to protect the colt for Epsom although I wonder what they will do if 
it's fast on the day now ?

This now looks booked for Campanologist whose defeat of Kandahar Run was 
boosted by that ones win in the Newmarket Stakes. It's strange but I'm a 
lot less worried about a colt handling fast ground if Sadler's Wells 
appears on the damsire side rather than the sire side.

Getting back to Kandahar Run, it's worth bearing in mind that Cecil won 
that very race with Commander In Chief who scored just as decisively as 
KR and went on to score at Epsom as the 2nd string to Tenby as I 
mentioned the other day. Could history repeat itself ? Hopefully the 
form will get a further boost today as if it does I think both Kandahar 
Run (30) and Campanologist (55) could shorten up a bit. Oh and when did 
Godolphin step in for him - missed that one - still if you can't train 
'em buy 'em ;-)

Interesting that Hindu Kush and Washington Irving appear on my 'best 
bred' list below. Am really looking forward to the Ballysax tomorrow but 
I think over the 10f Moiquen may just hold sway but can't wait to see 
the odds on the other two as I think Hindu could represent a bit of 
value as he will be pacemaker and could potentially outstay them if 
given his head.

Be very informative to see Katiyra in the Guineas trial also.

In the Oaks there are a lot of Sadler's Wells/Darshaan bred fillies in 
the line-up and they are pretty obvious to pick out especially as Aidan 
O'Brien has most of them(!) but at this stage it's almost impossible to 
see which ones are going to line up. Less obvious are a few that are 
bred to be top-class over middle-distance and perhaps don't jump off the 
page.

LOOK HERE runs today at Lingfield for Ralph Beckett. By Hernando out of 
a Shirley Heights mare, she is bred to be top-class over 12 furlongs 
although Hernando's tend to act better with a bit more juice and she may 
not be unduly punished today but she is definitely worth watching as 
Shirley Heights is a notable damsire and Hernando has also built up a 
decent reputation as a middle distance sire over the last few years. 
Only seen once last season where she beat none other than Chester Vase 
winner Doctor Fremantle by a decisive 2 1/2 lengths at Salisbury on good 
to soft ground. I've already had a little bit at 75 so will be hoping 
for a win today though.

The other to watch is entered in a Salisbury maiden next week for 
Michael Jarvis. By Montjeu out of a Shirley Heights mare ISLAND VISTA 
only had the one run last season in September at Kempton where she was 
2nd to Annie Skates. She too is bred to be top-class and improve 
markedly over middle distances. I've just had a speculative couple of 
quid on her at 510.

In terms of the Derby I've listed the runners that I think have the best 
middle-distance pedigrees although a few of these don't look up to 
classic-standard on what they have shown so far.

'Best Bred' Derby Entries
=========================

CURTAIN CALL

Sadler's Wells(USA) (11.3f) - Apsara(FR) (Darshaan(11.7f))
(60,000gns) first foal; dam placed over 10-14f at 3 in France, 
half-sister to top-class 1m-10f winner Johann Quatz (by Sadler's Wells), 
French Derby winner Hernando, & useful 10-13f trio Res Judicata, Walter 
Willy (by Sadler's Wells) & Adnaan

======

FRENCH RIVIERA

Montjeu(IRE) (11.6f) - Arietta's Way(IRE) (Darshaan(11.7f))
(150,000gns) 5th foal, half-brother to quite useful Midas Way, dual 
1m-12f winner at 2-3, also winner over hurdles, Pactolos, 9f winner at 
3, & Leisurely Way, 1m winner at 4; dam unplaced over 10-14f at 3, 
sister to high-class 3yo/hurdler Rubhahunish

=======

HINDU KUSH

Montjeu(IRE) (11.6f) - Arietta's Way(IRE) (Darshaan(11.7f))
(150,000gns) 5th foal, half-brother to quite useful Midas Way, dual 
1m-12f winner at 2-3, also winner over hurdles, Pactolos, 9f winner at 
3, & Leisurely Way, 1m winner at 4; dam unplaced over 10-14f at 3, 
sister to high-class 3yo/hurdler Rubhahunish

=======

KING O'THE GYPSIES

Sadler's Wells(USA) (11.3f) - Love For Ever(IRE) (Darshaan(11.7f))
(240,000gns) 6th foal, brother to Gypsy King, smart 10f winner at 3, 
Napoleon, 10f winner at 3, also winner over hurdles, useful 12-16f 
performer Albanov, & Salila, placed over 10f at 3; dam 1m-9f winner in 
France

=======

TALE OF TWO CITIES

Sadler's Wells(USA) (11.3f) - Kasora(IRE) (Darshaan(11.7f))
8th foal, brother to Derby winner High Chapparal, top-class 1m-12f 
winner at 2-4, The Ethiopian, 12f winner at 3 & Chenchikova, 7f winner 
at 2, half-brother to Oriental Ben, dual 1m-9f winner at 3-5; dam 
unraced daughter of high-class 1m-12f filly Kozana

=======

TILABAY

Sadler's Wells(USA) (11.3f) - Tilimsana(IRE) (Darshaan(11.7f))
2nd foal; dam unraced half-sister to Timawari, a lightly-raced dual 
1m-12f winner at 4, out of Timarida, a top-class prolific 7-10f winner 
at 3-4

=======

WASHINGTON IRVING

Montjeu(IRE) (11.6f) - Shouk (Shirley Heights(12.3f))
5th foal, close relation to top-class Alexandrova (by Sadler's Wells), 
multiple 1m-12f winner at 2-3 inc. Oaks, & Magical Romance, a top-class 
6f winner at 2, Saree (both by Barathea), 7f winner at 2; dam 10f winner 
at 3