Crowded House set for Derby run

Trainer Brian Meehan has opted to supplement Crowded House for the £1.25 million Epsom Derby on Saturday.

Last year Crowded House emerged as the early antepost favourite for the 2009 Epsom Derby following an impressive victory in the Racing Post Trophy. His odds then drifted during a sustained period of indifferent form, and he is currently trading at over 20/1 at most bookmakers.

Meehan, however, believes that his horse can do better than the 8th place he achieved in his last outing – the Dante Stakes. Providing Epsom does not soften further ahead of the weekend, Meehan says that Crowded House could surprise his critics.

“After the Dante we monitored him closely. He worked on Monday and we were pleased with him,” Meehan told the BBC. “More importantly, he seems to have taken it very well. He will breeze again tomorrow, but the plan is now to let him take his chance at Epsom.”

Meehan has also entered Crowded House into the French equivalent of the Derby, the Prix Du Jockey Club.

“The only issue may be if there is heavy rain on Friday,” Meehan said.
“For that reason we will hold the entry in Sunday’s Prix Du Jockey Club as an alternative.”