Appleby on Godolphin's Derby Dark Horse

Charlie Appleby believes the horse most likely to give Godolphin their third Cazoo Derby (G1) winner in five years may not even be entered in the Epsom Classic—although he could be handed that late opportunity May 23.

Appleby, who supplied Sheikh Mohammed's operation with Epsom aces Masar  in 2018 and Adayar  last year, was at the Surrey track on Monday to watch big-race contenders Walk of Stars  and Nahanni  take part in the Derby gallops morning and confirmed the plan was to supplement Nations Pride , who landed the listed Best Odds On The Betfair Exchange Newmarket Stakes when last seen and is a 10-1 chance with Coral to triumph June 4.

Nations Pride also has the option of the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1), although Poule d'Essai des Poulains (French Two Thousand Guineas, G1) winner Modern Games  is penciled in for that Chantilly prize.

"Nations Pride was impressive at Newmarket and he's in the French Derby, where we have Modern Games as well," said Appleby, whose Cazoo Coronation Cup contender Manobo  was also at Epsom.

"He'll work on Wednesday then we'll make a decision as to whether we supplement him on Monday. We're hoping we will—there's only one Derby and you only want to go there if you think you can win it. He has a great profile and ticks most boxes out of our three possible runners."

Appleby's stable jockey William Buick was due to ride in the second race at Leicester, so he was not at Epsom. He missed out on Derby glory last year when he partnered Hurricane Lane  behind the Adam Kirby-ridden Adayar and also suffered in the QIPCO Two Thousand Guineas (G1) recently, finishing second on Native Trail  as James Doyle struck on the yard's Coroebus .

"If I was to say which I'd ride and we get past Wednesday's gallop and see the well being of Nations Pride, then—as we stand at the minute—he would be the horse," Appleby said. "William is lucky because he sits on them anyway. Guidance-wise, I like to allow the jockeys to make the choice and if it's a bit leftfield I might say something, but I like them to ride what they're happy with.

"If he's on the horse he feels has the best chance of winning, he's going out there thinking that. Wednesday's work will be the deciding point, but Nations Pride is the highest-rated and has done very little wrong."