Hollie Doyle blog: Benvenuto Cellini can deliver a fifth Derby triumph for Ryan Moore
Sky Sports Racing ambassador Hollie Doyle spoke to Simon Mapletoft ahead of Epsom Derby Day; In her latest exclusive blog, Doyle provides an update on her injury and gives her verdict ahead of the Epsom Derby.
Friday 5 June 2026 19:34, UK
Hollie Doyle provides an update on her injury and previews Derby Day in the latest instalment of her exclusive blog
Good to be home after leg surgery
After almost two weeks in two different hospitals, it feels so good to be back home to continue my recovery from the broken leg I suffered in that horrible fall at Bath.
The operation on Tuesday to repair a pilon (shinbone) fracture in my left leg seems to have gone well. It's been stabilised with a metal plate but I've got to rest it for six weeks before I can begin any weight-bearing exercise.
I can't wait until I can start my rehabilitation at Oaksey House in Lambourn - an excellent facility that I'm very lucky to have so close to home. It's too soon to say how long I will be out of action, though, but that's my initial target.
Tom has Derby claims but draw is tricky
There's only one result I'm hoping for in the Betfred Derby (4.00) at Epsom on Saturday - a win for my husband Tom Marquand's mount Maltese Cross.
It would be amazing to see Tom add this great race to his CV and William Haggas' colt boasts strong credentials. He's well balanced, stays well and possesses a telling turn of foot. However, the low draw in stall one is a concern.
It can be very difficult to achieve a good early position from there but if Tom can somehow overcome it, he could be in for a memorable ride on a horse who I'm convinced will improve again for this greater test of stamina.
Cellini can give Moore a fifth success
Aidan O'Brien has made this race his own over the years and saddles two stand-out performers in favourite Benvenuto Cellini and stable companion Pierre Bonnard. While both colts bring outstanding credentials to the Classic, Ryan Moore looks to be on the right one.
He guided Benvenuto Cellini to a dominant success in the Chester Vase last month and can register his fifth victory on the son of Frankel whose only question mark could be the rain-softened ground.
I'm also expecting a good run from Ralph Beckett's Bay Of Brilliance, who pushed Maltese Cross all the way to the line in the Lingfield Derby Trial and has proven form on soft ground.
Convergent to show his Group One potential
The rain that has fallen on the Surrey Downs must be a major concern for the favourite in the Group One Coolmore Coronation Cup (2.40) at Epsom - the French star Calandagan - whose participation may yet be in doubt.
The world's best racehorse was beaten in easy ground in this race last year when the re-opposing Jan Brueghel got the better of him in a memorable tussle. Aidan O'Brien's star must go well again following his re-appearance win at Chester.
However, the one who may capitalise if conditions conspire against Calandagan is Karl Burke's Convergent, who was impressive in the John Porter at Newbury and is a Group One winner waiting to happen, in my view.
Brave sets the standard in open Group Three
Never So Brave will be hard to beat in the Group Three Betfred Tattenham Corner Stakes (1.30) on Saturday if he can reproduce his top-class form at York last August.
The City Of York Stakes winner should be sharper for his return in the Bet365 Mile at Sandown in late April and sets the standard in an open renewal which also features interesting Irish raider Alcantor, who has winning form at this level on soft ground in France.
Formerly trained by Andre Fabre, he looks an exciting acquisition for the Joseph O'Brien stable, who won the Oaks on Friday with the brilliant Thundering On, and he can take a big step forward from his re-appearance run in Listed company at Leopardstown.
Keep an eye, too, on Johnny Murtagh's Chicago Critic who showed what a talented sort he is when only just denied in a Group Two in Meydan in the winter. He won't mind any dig in the ground and can out-run potentially big odds.
Epsom mission ideal for Pacific
The Group Three Princess Elizabeth Stakes (2.05) is also wide open but looks a good opportunity for Andrew Balding's Juddmonte filly Pacific Mission to win in Pattern company for the first time.
This lovely daughter of Lope De Vega ran a stormer in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies' Turf last autumn after going close in the Group Two Park Hill at Doncaster in easy ground in September.
She blew away the cobwebs in Listed grade at York last month and gets my vote over Shes Perfect - the filly who was demoted after finishing first in last season's French Guineas. The form of her third at Goodwood doesn't look that strong, so she has more to do here.
Adding depth to this race is Charlie Johnston's Arisaig who was only just behind She's Perfect last time, and I'd love to see the remarkable Sparks Fly turn it on again for her regular partner Laura Pearson.
Lexington can Blitz rivals in Dash
A high draw is essential in the The Betfred 'Dash' Handicap (3.15) at Epsom which can go to the speedy Lexington Blitz - second in last year's three-year-old version.
Robert Cowell's gelding bolted up in a Class Two handicap down the hill at Goodwood and can give his owners Middleham Park Racing a memorable day out.
Tom (Marquand) is perfectly drawn on William Haggas' Cheveley Park filly Kinswoman who is a strong traveller with form on good to soft ground. She showed a tough attitude in defeat at Yarmouth on her return to action so everything points to a big performance.
Hollie Doyle was speaking to Sky Sports Racing's Simon Mapletoft.
