Epsom Derby 2022: Westover Profile
Westover looks set to come to The Derby off the back of just four runs, but the talent of this son of Frankel is without question. Ralph Beckett's charge was green on his last appearance but the trainer has opted to come straight here to attempt to clinch Classic glory...
Westover
Sire: Frankel
Trainer: Ralph Beckett
Runs: 4
Wins: 2
Ralph Beckett has often commented when asked about Westover that this is a slowly maturing horse, and that was shown in the fact he did not make his debut as a two year old until the August of 2021. On that day he was sent off 2/1 favourite over a mile at Sandown under Rob Hornby and got the job done in some style, seeing off second Bullet Force with relative ease. At the Esher venue he looked fairly professional but next time out at Newbury a month later he pulled like a train at the start of the mile long race, which undoubtedly hindered his chance as he finished in second behind Zechariah.
He waited another month before his next outing, this time sent off 8/11 favourite under Ryan Moore on soft ground at Pontefract. This was much more like it and although he was beaten a neck, the style in which he travelled and the gameness he showed in battling all the way to the line will have satisfied connections immensely heading into his winter break. A 168 day break followed before he reappeared as a three year old in a hot looking race at Newbury, the Group Three Bet365 Classic trial over a mile and two. Godolphin had a hot pot for this contest in Goldrush who was sent off 6/5f under William Buick, but that runner was no match for Westover who despite his greenness won the race. During that run he took a keen hold at the start, edged both left and right on the run in but still had enough to see off Cash in second.
This performance saw him enter The Derby picture and he is now a 16/1 chance to carry Juddmonte colours to Derby glory for the first time since Workforce in 2011.Trainer Beckett has claimed he thinks the twists and turns at Epsom should suit this Frankel Colt, and he is one of the more appealing options at a bigger price providing he has shaken off the inexperience which has caused him to be too keen and wander around the track in previous runs.
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