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Outlook on June 2 Newmarket Derby Ambler II. Leads Group of Foreign-Breds Who May Play Big Part in English Race Special to Daily Racing Form By CLAUDE B. RICHARD SON LONDON, England, May 12. Reuters . The French challenge was handsomely held in the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket, the first classic races of the British season, won by Sir Percy Loraines Darius and Mr. John Dewars Festoon. But there are distinct possibilities that a foreign-bred colt will win the Derby at Epsom on June 2. Present favorite for -the race is the American-bred colt, Ambler II., owned by William Woodward, Jr., son of the late chairman of the New York Jockey Club. There are many French candidates, and one of them, the Comte de Chambures Ferriol, is in the first three in the betting. Ambler n., a magnificent-looking bay colt I by Ambiorix Vienna, is a very worthy fa- j i : vorite. On his only two outings on a racecourse he won in the manner of his looks class is stamped all over him. In April Ambler IE., won the Craven Stakes over one mile at Newmarket, and the ;hree horses who finished immediately behind him have since advertised the form by winning good races. Later last month the handsome bay gave further proof of his ability by overcoming many difficulties in the running to win the Blue Riband Trial Stakes over an extended mile at Epsom, where the Derby will be run. Admittedly the opposition was middling, but the manner of Ambler n.s victory was very impressive. Ferriol was just beaten by Darius, to whom he finished second in the 2,000 Guineas, and he will probably relish the longer distance of the Derby. Another of the French entries, Estremadur, is reckoned by some as the fabulous Marcel Boussacs "rod in pickle," but in another opinion he may prove a bigger threat in the St. Leger than the Derby. Doubt About Darius As is natural after his Guineas win, Darius leads the British-owned colts in the betting. His victory in the Newmarket classic was clean-cut and- decisive, but there are some doubtful points about him. His pedigree on the mares side he is by Dante out of the Dastur mare, Yasha suggests that he may not be too well endowed with stamina, and a suspicion persists from his 2 -year-old days that he is a difficult customer. The Queens colt Landau, has fallen out of favor on his poor showing in the Guineas, but continues to show excellent form in training gallops. He may appreciate the recent easing in the going, but whether he will reproduce his training form on the track is a moot point. An indication of the hopes held about Landau will be forthcoming when Sir Gordon Richards, the champion jockey, announces his mount for the Derby. Besides Landau, Sir Gordon can choose from Court Splendour and Elopement. All three are trained by Noel Murless at Newmarket. Court Splendour, a winner first time out this season, later finished second to the beaten 2,000 Guineas favorite," Infatuation, over 10 furlongs at Sandown Park last week. But he will have to improve a good deal if he is to make up the two lengths which Infatuation, a lot better colt on easier going, had to spare over him. Infatuations Sandown win has brought him back into favor after an uninspired performance the 2,000 Guineas. The iron-hard going at Newmarket was blamed for this by the colts connections. Elopement did not show up well when fourth to Tudor Honey and Darius in the 2,000 Guineas Trial Stakes at Kempton Park last month, but Sir Gordon is known to have a liking for him and he has been heavily supported for the Derby. The colt displayed a temperament at Kempton, and as he is a full brother to the unpredictable Gay Time, who was second to the great Tulyar in the 1952 Derby, this looks like a warning note. South African owner Jack Gerbers By Thunder was well esteemed after a victory over the Derby course and distance, but the bubble was pricked at Chester when he failed badly behind the almost unconsidered Derby outsider, Blue Rod. Blue Sail Misses Trial Irish-bred challenger Blue Sail, who may be ridden by the American jockey Johnny Longden for his Canadian owners, Max Bell and Frank McMahon, won a maiden plate at the Curragh last month, but plans for his preparation have been upset by a misunderstanding which left him out of the Lingfield Park Derby Trial. He will now run in a seven-furlong event at the Curragh after which a decision will be made whether he will contest the English classic at Epsom or the Irish Derby. Rowston Manor, winter favorite for the Derby, has yet to run this year and has slipped back in the betting. At least there can be little doubt about the staying power of this Pearl Diver colt, who won over a mile as a juvenile. The in-and-out form shown in the customary classic trials has thrown little light on the Derby, but the Lingfield Trial Stakes next week could settle several pertinent questions. Ambler EL, Landau, Infatuation, Rows-ton Manor and the 2,000 Guineas fourth, Arabian Night, are all engaged and if they were all to run they would give a pointer to the classic which is lacking now. Unless he is beaten in the interim, Ambler II: will certainly remain a strong fancy for the Derby. It may be that he will gain the Epsom victory for which the late Mr. Woodward strove so pertinaciously for a quarter of a century. It would be late recompense to the Woodward family for the great disappointment of 1950, when Prince Simon had the -spoils snatched from him by Marcel Boussacs Galcador in the last few strides.
