Appleby undecided over Duty’s Derby outing

Horse Racing
Pinatubo shines at Royal Ascot

Charlie Appleby is doubtful that Line Of Duty is suitable for the Investec Derby but he has yet to make a firm decision on racing him.

The Newmarket trainer was left frustrated after last year’s Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf winner came second-last in last week’s Dante Stakes at York.

It was not the seasonal debut Appleby was hoping for and it planted seeds of doubt as to whether Line Of Duty would do himself justice if pitched into the Derby at Epsom on June 1.

Speaking about his plans for the son of Galileo, he said: ‘It was a bit of a disappointment (at York). ‘As we know, it is a strong race and it was a competitive renewal of the Dante. Turning in, we knew our fate – that it was just not going to happen.

‘The ground would have been quick enough for him, but at least we have a run under our belt. He seems to have come out of it well.

‘On that evidence he is not a Derby horse, but we will just regroup, and there are no set plans yet.

‘We will see what he does over the course of the week, but he has got to come forward to be a Derby horse.’

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