ON the contrary, the draw in the Derby may be more important than is generally accepted by the market. The uphill run from the stalls and the right turn after a furlong and a half means that, if you are drawn low and you want to gain a position, you have to use up some of your horse very early.

By contrast, if you are drawn high you could be shuffled back at that turn, and you could be wider than ideal or further back than ideal when you do start to turn left-handed.