Racing: Pride of place for Dunhill Star

Barry Hills does not like to be reminded that his record for saddling runners-up in the Derby is brilliant. The short-head defeat of Rheingold by the Lester Piggott-ridden Roberto in 1972 rankles particularly. Quite a few Derby thirds have come his way too - notably in 1993 with Blues Traveller, at 150-1. But never a winner.

With next Saturday's Epsom showpiece looking so wide-open (even the bookmakers are struggling to hype any runners) many punters will look for each-way value.

Step forward Barrington William Hills, the trainer of Dunhill Star, currently at 50-1 with William Hill. Joe Mercer, the racing manager to Mohammed Obaida, the colt's owner, said yesterday: "This horse has been a slow learner and was unlucky last time in the Dante Stakes [a running-on third to Magistretti]. He's progressing and he's got a very good each-way chance."

Hills also has Private Charter entered at Epsom, but this colt may wait for Royal Ascot.

Refuse To Bend, the 2,000 Guineas winner, was on the slide in the Derby betting yesterday, following negative rumours about a home gallop. Hills and Ladbrokes eased Dermot Weld's colt in their lists - and cut Brian Boru, the No 1 hope of Aidan O'Brien's. "In our line of business money always talks but sometimes it swears as it did with Brian Boru this afternoon," Balthazar Fabricius of Ladbrokes, said yesterday.

Derby (William Hill ante-post odds): 11-4 Brian Boru (from 7-2), 100-30 Refuse To Bend (from 11-4), 4-1 Alamshar, 14-1 Kris Kin, Alberto Giacometti, 16-1 The Great Gatsby, 20-1 Dutch Gold*, Franklins Gardens, Magistretti, 25-1 Hold That Tiger, Norse Dancer*, Shield, 40-1 New South Wales, Let Me Try Again, 50-1 Balestrini, Dunhill Star, Graikos, Lundy's Lane, Private Charter, Songlark, Unigold, 66-1 others (*need to be supplemented)