Kris Kin but he recovered quickly after treatment and was allowed to run. At Epsom, the colt was strongly supported, being backed down from 14-1 to 6-1 on the course, with the money reportedly coming from ordinary members of the public rather than professional gamblers. He started the race as fourth favourite behind three Irish-trained colts, Refuse To Bend, Alamshar and Brian Boru. Ridden for the first time by Kieren Fallon, Kris Kin seemed to be struggling in the early stages, and turned into the straight in eighth place. As at Chester, he began to make rapid progress after being switched to
Alamshar 4-1 second favourite for the Derby and put in a creditable effort, finishing a close third to Kris Kin and The Great Gatsby. There were no excuses, with Johnny Murtagh saying that Alamshar "had every chance" although Oxx observed that "horses improve from the Derby". Alamshar was then aimed for the Irish Derby in which he was matched against his owner's French-trained colt Dalakhani, the undefeated winner of the Prix du Jockey-Club. Shortly before the race Alamshar seemed most unlikely to take part, as back problems affected him so badly that he "couldn't walk straight", and his condition only improved