CHARLIE JOHNSTON is hoping Ancient Egypt can play the role of giant-killer when he lines up in the Betfred Derby next Saturday.
The Yorkshire trainer almost pulled off a huge shock at Epsom last season when 50-1 outsider Lazy Griff finished second to Lambourn.
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Charlie Johnston was at Epsom on Tuesday to watch Ancient Egypt gallop Credit: Megan Rose Photography
The 20-1 shot for the Derby worked nicely on Tuesday morning at Epsom Credit: Megan Rose Photography
And his well-bred 20-1 shot, who made a triumphant return in the Newmarket Stakes last month, has the potential to break Aidan O’Brien’s run of Derby domination.
The Amo Racing-owned colt cost an eye-watering £1.1 million as a yearling, but he’s now won three of his four starts and handled Epsom’s undulations nicely at the track’s traditional pre-Derby gallops morning on Tuesday.
The imposing three-year-old has a fair amount to find on form with O’Brien’s favourite Benvenuto Cellini – but Johnston reckons the step up to 12 furlongs could unlock a ton of improvement.
He said: “He came down to Epsom and stayed overnight in the stables, he wandered around the paddock and had a nice swing around the track.
“We’ve dotted every I and crossed every T in terms of preparation, and it was nice for David Egan to get a feel for him again in that sort of environment.
“For a big horse, we were hopeful that this track shouldn’t hold too many fears, given he came down the dip at Newmarket so well, and we were pleased with what we saw.
“I think he’ll improve for the extra distance, I’d be confident of that, the question mark is whether he’s good enough.
“He’s going to have to improve 10 to 14 pounds and he’s five pounds lower than Lazy Griff last year. We’ll only find out if he’s good enough on the day.”
Johnston says there isn’t a great deal of similarity between Ancient Egypt and Lazy Griff – who incidentally could make his return at Sandown on Thursday if the ground isn’t too quick.
He continued: “They’re quite different in a way. Lazy Griff had done a lot more at two. He’d won a stakes race at two and, barring injury, I felt would have won a Group 1 at two.
“We came into his three-year-old career, albeit maybe no-one else thought we should have been, but we were working towards The Derby from January.
“With this horse, there was a little bit more of an unknown as we finished the year on a disappointing note in the Royal Lodge and we had to get back on track a bit. We did that in real good style in Newmarket.
“We were completely under the radar last year. There’s probably a few more eyes on this horse because of what he cost and who owns him. He’s a different type of horse, but we’re bringing him here expecting him to be in the shake-up.
“He doesn’t know what he cost. I’ve got a very good relationship with Kia (Joorabchian). At the point that I can deliver him horses to these races and these big days, that’s what he’s in the game for.
“As long as we keep holding up our end of the bargain, then everyone’s happy.”
Johnston, 35, could already have the Oaks in his back pocket by the time he arrives on Derby day thanks to Venetian Lace.
She ran a cracker to finish third in the 1,000 Guineas but, unlike Ancient Egypt, her trainer is less convinced about her stamina for the trip.
He added: “Venetian Lace is the opposite really. I’ve no doubt she’s good enough, she’s been placed twice at Group 1 level, but the trip is an unknown.
“The pedigree gives you confidence, she’s by Masar who won the Derby.
“Until Jattvibeday when Precise won at the Curragh, I thought she had the best form in the race of those that were likely to be there.
“I saw Precise live and that frightened me quite a bit. But beyond the trip being a slight question mark, I wouldn’t swap her.”
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