Arod takes fourth in Epsom's Investec Derby

The son of Teofilo was the youngest horse in the 16-runner field, and also one of the least experienced, and, while he was beaten just over eight lengths by impressive winner Australia, his effort today was full of promise.

Trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam said of Arod, who was ridden by Jamie Spencer: "He's run a great race considering he is still a big baby, and Jamie said he got shuffled back a bit, which happens at Epsom. You see the way he goes about that he has a lot of growing up to do, but he's been hard trained for this, and so I wouldn't expect you will see him out again too soon.

"He got lit up after receiving a bump when winning at Leicester, so we had to get him to settle when he ran next at York in the Dante Stakes, and that may have cost us the race. I knew he would be fine today.

"The winner [Australia] is obviously very special. Fair play to them, but I'm delighted too - our horse has an engine, and we just have to channel it."

David Redvers, who manages Qatar Racing's horses, bought Arod at Goffs as a yearling for €170,000. Redvers said: "I'm pleased - we've finished three places better than last year [when Chopin was seventh]. He's put up a proper run and travelled really well.

"When Jamie got off he said this horse has got to have rattle [fast ground]. He's by Teofilo and today would have been plenty dead enough ground for him. He's a nice horse and we should have a bit of fun, but he's had to give his all twice in succession, so Jamie felt we should drop him in grade now and get a confidence boost. The horse will tell us soon enough when he's ready for another run."

Just The Judge had given Qatar Racing a promising start to the meeting when placed in the Gr.3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes, while Roheryn's win in the Listed King George V Cup at Leopardstown yesterday was another good omen.

Roheryn, a $400,000 purchase at Keeneland as a yearling in September 2012, surprised winning trainer Ger Lyons, who said: "It's fantastic to win a Stakes race with her as she's so well bred [by Galileo out of Group race-winning mare La Chunga]."