3 minute read

Trainer Paul Midgley saddled the first two home in the Investec Corporate Banking 'Dash' at Epsom this afternoon as Desert Law sprinted home to beat stablemate Monsieur Joe by a length.

The 16/1 shot was always travelling powerfully under jockey Martin Lane and the pair put daylight between themselves and their rivals in the final furlong as the field thundered toward the winning post.

Monsieur Joe battled on well to finish second, a neck ahead of Boom The Groom in third.

"It was a grand result," said Midgley.

"It's excellent to see them both run so well. I could have cried when the draw came out Desert Law was drawn away from the stands' rail in stall one as Desert Law was the one I fancied the most.

"As soon as I saw stall one, I thought we couldn't win. I then looked back over the past few years, trying to find something that could point to us running well and, while a few have been placed low, nothing had done it from stall one.

"The surprising thing was how well Monsieur Joe travelled through the race so I was really pleased with that. I thought Desert Law could be really well handicapped. He was a very good horse but just lost his way a bit.

"He looks cheap now doesn't he? We were going to buy him when Godolphin bought him (in October 2012) but they blew us out of the water with fancy money. We took a bit of punt on him when he was put up for sale again and it's all worked out nicely.

"To come down here with runners on Derby Day is a real privilege but to walk away with first and second is a fairytale.

"I'd imagine Desert Law could go for the Rockingham (at the Curragh) at the end of this month - if the handicapper is kind to him that is! Monsieur Joe could follow him or could go a different route but we'll have to see. We'll keep firing some darts at the board and see what happens."