Vodafone Derby Preview

There can be little doubt that Motivator is a worthy favourite for the Vodafone Derby at Epsom and he is the one to beat. However, whether he deserves to be priced up as short as the general 5-2 on offer is open to question, and I believe that he is worth taking on with Irish raider FRACAS, who is available at a top-priced 14-1. After Motivator landed the Dante Stakes at York on May 12, his trainer Michael Bell conceded that his charge was 'quite highly strung'. Admittedly, the son of Montjeu was well enough behaved on the Knavesmire, but the atmosphere at Epsom will reach fever pitch shortly before the 4.10 off time on Saturday and I'd be concerned that Motivator's propensity to get worked up in the preliminaries may well get the better of him.Derby Day is unlike any other in terms of anticipation-induced electricity and any enigmatic tendencies in Motivator's behavioural make-up will be tested to the full. In addition, he will be in unchartered waters in terms of the ground on Saturday - all three of his career starts have been on soft going - so looks well worth taking on at current odds.Like Motivator, Fracas remains unbeaten after three career starts. The David Wachman-trained colt followed-up his maiden victory by landing the Sandown Classic Trial and then, last month, the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown, in which he demonstrated great battling qualities to get the better of Alayan in a photo finish.Interestingly, Sinndar (2000), Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002) all landed that 10-furlong trial before going on to taste Epsom glory, making this race the most informative of recent Derby stepping-stones.The son of In The Wings will need to improve on what he has achieved thus far, but all the signs suggest that he is firmly on an upward curve and that the two-furlong farther trip at Epsom will prove ideal. Furthermore, Fracas is a well-balanced horse and travels well in his races, two attributes that are essential traits to look for in a potential Derby winner.The Aidan O'Brien stable field three - Grand Central, Gypsy King and Oratorio - with stable jockey Kieren Fallon appearing to be leaning towards Gypsy King at the time of writing. Gypsy King looked as green as grass when getting up close home to beat Im Spartacus in the Dee Stakes at Chester last month where he was sluggish coming out of the stalls, jumped the road which runs through the course after two furlongs, and hung right under pressure in the home straight. That he still managed to win speaks volumes for the son of Sadler's Wells and he is bound to be a sharper horse come Saturday, therefore he has to enter calculations. However, his current odds - around the 4-1 mark - are more representative of his home reputation rather than his on-course exploits and I couldn't back him at that price.Oratorio is an interesting contender given that he has ran admirably in both the English and Irish 2,000 Guineas, shaping on both occasions as though this step up in trip would bring about improvement. If it does, he should make his presence felt, although he is a shade lazy and I'd be concerned that he will get too far behind in the early stages and give himself too much to do.The Geezer, runner up to Motivator in the Dante Stakes, and the first two home in the Lingfield Derby Trial, Kong and Walk In The Park, all have each-way claims, a remark which also applies to the Chester Vase winner Hattan. However, Fracas has more scope than all of those rivals and, in what is an intriguing renewal of Flat racings blue riband, is taken to get the better of chief dangers Motivator and Gypsy King to register a Derby first for jockey Jamie Spencer and second-season Irish handler David Wachman.Betting verdict: 1pt e/w Fracas @ 14-1 (VCBet, Stanley Bet)