Epsom Derby result: Harzand strikes gold for Dermot Weld and Pat Smullen
Harzand claimed a brilliant victory in the Investec Derby at Epsom.
Winner of the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in April, Dermot Weld's three-year-old was a 13-2 shot for the world's most famous Flat race in the hands of Pat Smullen.
The son of Sea The Stars hit the front with over a furlong to run and although favourite US Army Ranger finished powerfully, Harzand was always doing enough and held him off by a length and a half.
Idaho was best of the rest in third.
Harzand had suffered a late scare on Saturday morning after spreading a plate and Smullen hailed the team at the Weld yard for their efforts in getting him to the start line.
He said: "It's unbelievable. I'm delighted to have ridden the winner for the boss.
"The trouble we had with him this morning, I didn't know if he would get here, but it's a great team effort. I'm delighted for them.
"To be fair to this horse, he's a very good horse and he's improved out of all recognition."
Epsom Derby result:
1 Harzand
2 US Army Ranger
3 Idaho
Caspian Prince, meanwhile, narrowly thwarted the late surge of Kimberella in a thrilling climax to the Investec Corporate Banking "Dash" at Epsom.
Winner of the race in 2014 when trained by Tony Carroll, Caspian Prince is now in the care of Dean Ivory and was an 11-1 shot on his first start since running well in Dubai during the winter.
The seven-year-old was on the speed throughout from his stands' rail draw and responded to Robert Winston's urgings to cling on by a short-head.
The David Nicholls-trained Kimberella ran a remarkable race to get so close after completely blowing the start.
Winston said: "I wasn't sure if we'd won. For this horse to be taken off his feet early on, we must have been going some lick because he's very fast.
"I've always held this horse in high regard and well done to Dean for getting him here today.
"It hasn't been straightforward, he's had a few niggly problems since he came back from Dubai, but it's paid off today."
