True Story storms into Investec Derby picture

True Story is 14-1 (from 33-1) with Coral for the Investec Derby, after running out the impressive winner of the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.

The Godolphin-owned colt pulled hard in the early stages before eventually settling in midfield, and after being ridden to lead approaching the final furlong strode clear up the hill to win going away by seven lengths from Obliterator.

Saeed bin Suroor’s son of Manduro could not have put in a more taking performance in the Listed 1m 1f contest, and his handler is now dreaming of success at Epsom on June 7th.

He said: “I think a mile and a half will be his best trip and he has shown that he has improved since last year. We will take him to the Dante or to Lingfield (Derby Trial) and looking to the future he is a horse for the Derby.”

The Feilden Stakes has proved a useful trial for various classic races, but no winner has yet gone on to prevail at Epsom.

Hawaiian Sound, who won the inaugural running in 1978, got beat a head by Shirley Heights in the Derby while Erhaaab finished runner-up in the Feilden before going one better at Epsom in 1994.

Other winners on the Rowley Mile on the opening day of the Craven meeting included Sandiva, who is 16-1 (from 20-1) with Coral for the Qipco 1,000 Guineas, and Free Handicap victor Shifting Power, who was left unchanged at 20-1 for the Qipco 2,000 Guineas after scrambling home be a head from Mushir to maintain his unbeaten record.