Ratings are not the be-all, end-all for Derby selection
Last year's Derby-winning trainer, Tony Millard, obviously had his own view after the final race on Sunday with regards to the classic this year, when he was heard to muse in the aftermath that there were 'a lot of expensive mistakes there'.
A number of other people were no doubt thinking the same as it wasn't the kind of lead-up run that the connections of expensive private purchases like Military Attack, Dan Excel and a few others would have been hoping for as we await today's field selection announcement.
Same World did have excuses after racing wide and the Tony Cruz-trained Packing Tycoon actually enhanced his Derby standing at his final preparation run after being pretty moderate in everything he had done until Sunday.
One race earlier, Real Specialist advanced his cause towards getting a call up today, despite his handicap rating of 83.
And the reason for the frowns on the faces of those who disappointed and the hopeful looks from those which ran well, is that history shows it is at least as much about current form and an ability to perform in the race as about handicap ratings.
Twelve months ago, Semos got a Derby start off a rating of 88 but the selection panel dropped short-course sprinter Multiglory, who was rated 102 but a highly suspect stayer. The panel also left out Destined For Glory, who had a 92 rating but had finished seventh at his only local start.