Ruling Court & Tornado Alert hope to realise G1 Derby dreams

Ruling Court aims to join an elite group of colts to capture the 2,000 Guineas and the Derby as he races beyond a mile for the first time at Epsom Downs on Saturday, 7 June, with Tornado Alert also seeking to win Britain’s premier Classic for the royal blue silks. 

A son of US Triple Crown winner Justify, Ruling Court came out on top in a thrilling renewal of the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket as he beat subsequent Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Field Of Gold by half a length, with Shadow Of Light and Tornado Alert back in third and fourth. 

Ruling Court ran twice last season, winning on his debut for Charlie Appleby before finishing third in the G3 Acomb Stakes, and wintered out in Dubai, where he took the Listed Jumeirah 2,000 Guineas by six lengths. 

Tornado Alert shaped with promise behind Ruling Court at Newmarket and the Too Darn Hot homebred looks set to be suited by middle distances, with his half-brother Just Fine having won the 12-furlong G1 Metropolitan in Australia. 

Trained by Saeed bin Suroor, Tornado Alert made two all-weather appearances towards the end of last season, following up a debut third at Lingfield Park with a comfortable success at Newcastle. 

Charlie Appleby said: “We have always felt that the 2,000 Guineas is one of the best trials for the Derby, and Ruling Court has trained well since winning at Newmarket. We wouldn’t want the ground to get too soft by Saturday, so any significant amount of rain would be a negative. 

“We won’t know if he truly gets a mile and a half until we try, but he gives us all the indications that he should get the trip. We know that he is the class horse in the field, which helps, and being able to travel around Epsom is probably more important than being a proper mile-and-a-half horse. 

“We can have no complaints with being drawn seven and are very pleased with how his preparation has gone. He is an exciting Derby contender, for sure.”

Saeed bin Suroor said: “Tornado Alert ran well in the 2,000 Guineas and came out of the race in good form. Oisin Murphy came and rode him on Wednesday, and he looks a nice, relaxed horse going into the race. 

“I think a mile and a half around Epsom is going to suit. He’s a nice size of a horse and looks as though he will handle the track well.”