Derby may be out of reach but Al Zir can strike in Post

Last weekend's Dewhurst Stakes only served to muddy the Classic waters. A large duvet would have covered the distance between the first four home and the picture may not be any clearer tomorrow evening.

Doncaster's Racing Post Trophy, run over a mile, contains the first four in the ante-post betting for next year's Investec Derby and it is a contest that has produced three of the last eight Epsom winners.

Yet two colts with a leading chance among the 12 runners in the final British Group 1 race of the season are bred to be best at a mile.

With no standout juvenile this season, should either Al Zir or Elusive Pimpernel emerge victorious in the £200,000 race, the market for the 2,000 Guineas, rather than the Derby, will be shaken up.

Trainer John Dunlop has already expressed doubts that unbeaten Elusive Pimpernel will get beyond a mile next year.

And Godolphin's Al Zir, a son of American stallion Medaglia d'Oro is also unlikely to stay the Derby trip of a mile and a half.

Their racing manager, Simon Crisford, admitted: "He should be fine over 10 furlongs next year, but whether he stays beyond that is highly questionable."

There will also be those who will question whether AL ZIR (3.30) is the real deal, considering Sheikh Mohammed purchased Chabal out of Jim Bolger's yard before he disappointed in the Dewhurst. If Godolphin's juveniles were that good - and they have sent out 55 two-year-old winners this season - why buy others?

But the manner of Al Zir's victories at Newmarket and Doncaster over seven furlongs puts him in the top bracket of what looks an admittedly modest juvenile pecking order.

The colt showed an impressive turn of foot to beat two rivals officialy rated in the 90s last time and Frankie Dettori's mount is currently available at a best-priced 5-1 with Coral.

Aidan O'Brien, who landed the Dewhurst with Beethoven, relies on Montjeu colt St Nicholas Abbey, who won the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh in fine style. He is as short as 7-4 with Paddy Power for this race and 8-1 favourite for the Derby.

Peter Chapple-Hyam, who won this race with subsequent Derby winner Authorized, saddles Coordinated Cut, who underlined his lofty reputation with a facile success on his Doncaster debut. He could be the biggest danger to Al Zir.