AN ‘interesting outsider’ for the Derby had his odds slashed after impressing judges at Epsom.
Oisin Murphy steered 9-1 Bellum Justum – who had been outsider of the field at 16-1 before late money came in – to victory in the Listed Betfred Blue Riband Trial.
Bellum Justum was last seen winning a Class 4 over a mile in September last year but showed stacks of staying power to see off Roger Varian’s 10-1 Defiance.
Victory was worth £28,355 but far greater riches could lie in store in the world’s most famous Flat race in June.
Bookies were impressed with the Andrew Balding inmate too, cutting him from 25-1 into 66-1.
William Hill spokesperson Lee Phelps said: “Bellum Justum showed a good attitude to knuckle down and win the Blue Riband Trial under former champion jockey Oisin Murphy.
“All things considered, it was a fairly impressive performance, but not one that will send shockwaves through the Derby betting.
“We’ve cut him from 66-1 into 25-1 but it’s difficult to know the value of the form.
“And while there may be bigger Classic guns yet to make their seasonal debuts, we now know this colt handles the Epsom track and he could be an interesting outsider for the Derby.”
Bellum Justum will likely have to improve to see of Aidan O’Brien’s red-hot favourite City Of Troy.
He is just 11-8 to claim the 1m4f race, while he is fully expected to land the 2000 Guineas having been odds-on for months.
Matt Chapman wrote in his column that the undefeated City Of Troy is to undergo his hardest week of work yet before the race next weekend.
Victory there and all roads will lead to Epsom on June 1.
Epsom Derby odds via William Hill
11-8 City Of Troy
8-1 Henry Longfellow, Arabian Crown
10-1 Ancient Wisdom
16-1 Ghostwriter, Diego Velazquez
20-1 Grosvenor Square, Los Angeles
25-1 God’s Window, Euphoric, Bellum Justum, Voyage
33-1 Bar
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