Rock earns automatic Derby entry with Epsom verdict

Grand Rock claimed a narrow victory in the Investec Derby “Wild Card” Conditions Race at Epsom.

The extended one-mile contest offers the winner automatic entry into the £1.

5 million Investec Derby next June, with Mark Johnston’s 2017 winner Dee Ex Bee going on to fill the runner-up spot in the premier Classic last season.

Having also landed last year’s renewal with Persian Moon, Johnston attempted to claim a third straight win with King’s Caper, who set out to make all the running under Joe Fanning.

The William Haggas-trained Grand Rock was the 5-4 favourite on the back of an impressive win at Hamilton in August – and after mastering King’s Caper inside the final furlong, James Doyle’s mount had enough in hand to hold the strong-finishing Night Colours at bay by a neck.

King’s Caper was last of the three runners – just under two lengths further away.

Haggas said: “He’s a nice horse who has improved a lot.

His first run at Haydock was ordinary, but he won well at Hamilton and he won well again today.

“He doesn’t do a lot in front, but I think that soft ground really suits him.

“That (Derby) is a long way off, but the automatic entry is not something to be sniffed at.

Today was hardly a Derby trial, but it’s a nice race to win nonetheless.

“I think we’ll probably find a stakes race for him somewhere before the end of the season while conditions appear to be in his favour.

”

Later in the afternoon, Gary Moore’s King Of The Sand won the Apprentices’ Derby under 7lb claimer Rhys Clutterbuck.

In a race run in deteriorating conditions, the field was well strung out turning for home – and it was 14-1 shot King Of The Sand who boxed on best to score by five lengths from Hydroplane.

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