Performer Of The Week – 7/2 Derby Favourite!

Last week was chock full of Derby and Oaks Trials, with Chester playing host to some astonishing performances. Given the nature of one performance, however, there could only be one winner, after this Aidan O’Brien inmate created a huge impression at Chester and surged to the top of the Derby market. All the details are below, with today’s horse racing tips also on site now!

Sir Dragonet 7/2 – The Derby

He will need supplementing, as he doesn’t hold a Derby entry, but Sir Dragonet‘s performance in the Chester Vase surely warrants him to take his chance in the Epsom showpiece. Aidan O’Brien’s son of Camelot was relatively un-fancied in the market prior to the off, arriving at Chester on the back of a facile maiden success at Tipperary.

He was detached off the pace in the opening part of the Vase, warming up throughout the contest and making an eye-catching move at the two-furlong pole where he started to charge forward. Producing an extra gear, he spreadeagled the field to the tune of eight lengths, only pushed out to score in frightening fashion.

Plenty have questioned the form subsequently, but he careered away from the field in the style of a mighty horse and further improvement has to be expected, given he didn’t look the finished article that day. Given his action, softer ground would surely be preferred, but he’s gone straight to the front of the Derby market after that performance and was most certainly the eye-catcher of the week.

Breeding

A son of Camelot, his dam (Sparrow) was Group-placed as a two-year-old, and a half-sister to the Listed winning and Oaks placed Wonder of Wonders. Stamina should not a concern for him at Epsom and he’s clearly got the pedigree of a very smart performer.

Target

He doesn’t hold an entry currently, but it would be surprising if he wasn’t supplemented for the Epsom Derby, where he is currently best-priced 7/2 favourite with Betfair. Beyond Epsom, he holds an entry at Royal Ascot for the King Edward VII, though a Derby victory would surely see him go for a bigger prize.