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THIS year’s Epsom Derby has endured one of the most unusual build-ups for many a year with the supposed horse of the 21^st century blowing out in the 2,000 Guineas where the reasoning of getting upset in the stalls caused his demise. I can’t have that as he was beaten too far out after never travelling at any stage.

You digest and cogitate what you see on the track when you are about to invest your hard-earned cash and that image is very hard to shake off. On the other side of the coin, Aidan O’Brien is adamant that we didn’t see the real City of Troy that day and his subsequent work since suggests he is still the one to beat, backed up by the huge market support since that Newmarket classic.

I must admit to backing Los Angeles at 20/1 for this afternoon, but 7/2 is way, way too short now and I think he will need a major step forward here, any further rain will be in his favour and I have to be honest I am not the greatest fan of Wayne Lordan around Epsom.