THE Pyledriver fairytale is set to continue in the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot on July 24.
But whether William Muir’s stable star tackles the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before his big target will only be decided in a few days time.
There is no doubt that one of the most heartwarming results at Epsom over the Cazoo Derby Festival was the success of Pyledriver in the Coronation Cup. The way he battled to see off Al Aasy was a joy to behold under a titanic and highly skilled Martin Dwyer ride.
Muir told me: “Pyledriver had a hard race, so we’re just seeing how he gets over it. I always said that his first run at Newmarket was to get him ready for the Coronation Cup. If he runs in the Hardwicke that would be on the way to the King George. So if we feel he needs a bit more time he will miss Royal Ascot.”
An emotional Dwyer mentioned after his big race success that times have not always been easy recently and there were moments when he even wondered whether he would lose the ride on Pyledriver even though he is trained by his father-in-law.
Muir added: “People comment on rides and of course it can make one question. But I am a loyal man and Martin would never have lost the ride. Everything he has done on the horse we have told him to do.”
There was so much to take out of the Cazoo Derby, much of which has already been discussed.
On a personal note I would just like to say well done to Adam Kirby who gave Adayar a peach in the Derby. I have been a massive Adayar fan this season and although I didn’t tip him in the big race I begged connections to run him in the Derby after his second at Lingfield and a true eye catcher of an effort at Sandown.
I felt the giant beast would have won at Lingfield if he had kicked at the top of the straight. He is a very strong stayer.
The fact that Adayar won the Derby suggests that William Haggas made the right decision in not tackling the race with Mohaafeth. When I interviewed William on ITV it was clear he was absolutely gutted not to be taking part. But he did the best for the horse.
Kirby had a weekend to remember at Epsom
And that is what we should all want.
Snowfall was sensational in the Oaks, and on the day her time backed up what the eye told you.
That she was just miles better than all the rest. Who knows what she can do in the future, but she looks an amazing filly.
Once again, we have the situation where a filly will be getting lumps of weight from colts in Group 1 races throughout the season. I can’t emphasise enough once again this needs to change.
The whole system does not need to be challenged, but at the top level it should be about trying to find out who is the fastest horse.
One day people will see sense and Group 1 races will be run off level weights whatever a horse’s sex.
Finally, Charlie Appleby wanted to emphasise what a good man Oisin Murphy was after being booked and then taken off Adayar. It will haunt him forever, but once again we saw that he is a brilliant champion for our sport. I doff my Derby top hat to him.
And also I must thank ITV for having me at Epsom. It was an honour to work there and talk to so many stars in the game. It’s what I love to do. Living the dream…like Dwyer and Kirby.
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