Al Wasl Storm

For so long now we have been used to the Galileo factor at Epsom, and while none of his final small crop of 13 has made the line-up for the Derby or the Oaks, we still find his name all over the place on the pages of this year's runners, merely starting to shuffle back a bit in the generation game.  Galileo's sons Frankel, Australia and Circus Maximus each have at least one runner in the Derby, and Frankel and Australia also have Oaks runners. Eight of the 19 Derby...

Gavin Wallace, breeder of Derby outsider Al Wasl Storm, says he is completely flabbergasted about having produced a Classic contender and believes his story serves as a timely reminder for small breeders to keep on dreaming.  The 52-year-old farmer, whose family bred dual Tingle Creek Chase winner Long Engagement, has only two mares on his County Kilkenny farm. Along with his wife Orla, he has been provided with an earlier update than expected in the shape of Al Wasl Storm, a horse he openly admits to having been bred for...

Epsom's traditional Derby gallops morning attracted three of the 25 colts remaining in contention for this year's Betfred Derby, including a duo from the stable of John and Thady Gosden. Wathnan Racing's Damysus and Juddmonte's Nightwalker, both by Frankel, stretched out around the unique curves and camber of the Surrey track in tandem, and Thady Gosden appeared to be encouraged by the morning's exercise away from Newmarket. "They both handled it very well. They're very intelligent horses, the pair of them, really taking it in. You could see Damysus pricking...