DERMOT Weld’s long held ambition of capturing the greatest classic of all finally came to fruition in June as Harzand edged out US Army Ranger to bring to an end months of conjecture surrounding the colt’s classic.

Throughout the spring one Derby candidate after another failed to press his claims in sufficiently convincing style which meant that the latest edition of the Epsom race was an especially open one. For his part Harzand did everything right through the early stages of the season.