Fit, fired up and flying under the radar – could Tornado Alert blow the Derby wide open?
Tornado Alert Gathers Steam: Bin Suroor Plots Epsom Derby Surprise with Murphy in the Frame
Saturday 7th June, 3:30pm – Epsom Downs
It’s been a full three decades since Saeed bin Suroor last saddled a Derby winner, but the veteran Godolphin trainer believes he might just have another livewire in his hands with Tornado Alert, a colt who’s quietly crept into the Epsom picture following a promising run in the 2,000 Guineas.
Now hovering around 40/1 with race sponsors Betfred, having been clipped from an earlier 50/1, the son of Too Darn Hot is certainly no household name just yet – but there’s a sense that something may be brewing behind the scenes. And with Bin Suroor keen to book reigning champion jockey Oisin Murphy for the ride, this apparent outsider might not be flying under the radar for much longer.
For punters feeling brave, it’s the sort of horse that might be well worth a flutter with a free bet bonus or two – especially with newly-launched UK bookmaker BetTom currently offering up to £25 in free bets for new customers. If you’re going to take a chance on a Derby dark horse, you might as well let the bookie foot the bill.
Guineas Fourth Sparks Quiet Confidence
Tornado Alert put in a quietly impressive trial for the Derby when finishing fourth in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, just four and a half lengths behind the winning Godolphin stablemate, Ruling Court. It was a run that raised eyebrows, particularly as the colt had gone into the race without a prep outing – not the most traditional route, and certainly not one for the faint-hearted.
Trainer Bin Suroor wasn’t shy in admitting that his charge was only operating at “around 80 or 85 per cent” at Newmarket. Given that, his performance takes on a much more eye-catching hue. A horse who’s not fully wound up finishing close behind some of the best colts in the land? That’s the sort of form that starts to catch the attention of Epsom watchers.
Since then, it’s all been about progress. Tornado Alert has reportedly come on a good deal since his Guineas effort, with a pleasing piece of work on Godolphin’s private grass gallops at Chippenham Hill catching the eye of his trainer. Physically, he’s developed over the winter, thanks in part to a spell in Dubai where the Al Quoz training base helped bring him forward. It was there that Bin Suroor began to think he might just have a Derby contender on his hands.
Still Learning, But Showing Class
Experience may not be on Tornado Alert’s side – he’s still relatively lightly raced – but his trainer is adamant that the colt’s morning work suggests there’s serious class lurking under the bonnet. While many of his Derby rivals boast stronger form on paper, the signals from home have been encouraging, if not quietly optimistic.
And optimism is exactly what you need when targeting a race like the Derby at a price. Free bets are flying about as punters seek value outside the favourites – and a horse like Tornado Alert could offer that pinch of intrigue. If he turns up on the day a fitter, sharper version of the horse we saw at Newmarket, that 40/1 might start to look a little generous.
Will He Stay the Trip?
Of course, the Derby is no Guineas. Epsom’s mile and a half is a searching test, and the big question surrounding Tornado Alert is whether he’ll truly stay the distance. It’ll be his first time racing beyond a mile, but Bin Suroor sounds more than hopeful that he’ll see it out.
The key, he reckons, lies in the colt settling well during the race. If Tornado Alert can keep his cool early and find a rhythm, there’s every chance he could stay the full 1m4f. The pedigree suggests it’s not out of the question, and those familiar with the Derby’s rich history know that plenty of horses have stepped into the unknown and come out the other side covered in glory.
One to Watch with the Right Jockey On Board?
Talks are ongoing with champion jockey Oisin Murphy, and should the in-demand rider be confirmed for the Derby mount, Tornado Alert’s price could shorten again. Murphy’s ability to judge pace and settle a horse could prove invaluable – especially for a colt whose main question mark is stamina.
As race day draws nearer, punters will be eyeing up their options – and not just the obvious ones at the top of the market. For those inclined to back a dark horse, BetTom’s new customer offer of up to £25 in free bets might be the perfect excuse to take a swing at something a little bolder.
After all, the Derby isn’t just about the favourites. It’s a race where stories are made, and Tornado Alert might just be ready to write a surprising new chapter in Saeed bin Suroor’s already illustrious career.
