Macduff's connections are hopeful that the talented horse can improve so he may participate in this Saturday's Betfred Derby at Epsom.
The son of 2009 Derby hero Sea The Stars was not defeated far when finishing fourth behind Ghostwriter in the Royal Lodge Stakes last season. He had a promising start to his three-year-old campaign when finishing second behind Charlie Appleby's Arabian Crown in the Sandown Classic Trial last month.
After a promising racetrack gallop at Epsom last week, Ralph Beckett's Macduff is very much on course to seize his chance, even though a subsequent setback has eliminated Arabian Crown from the prestigious Classic.
Barry Mahon, racing manager for Macduff’s owner-breeders Juddmonte, said: “We’re looking forward to it, he’s done nothing wrong, he’s a horse we’ve always liked and has always shown promise. We feel that going a mile and a half will bring about a little bit more improvement and we think he’s come on plenty for his first run. The horse that beat him at Sandown has had a setback, which is unfortunate, but he was second-favourite for the Derby at the time and I think the form is probably solid. We’re hoping for a good run, Ralph’s horses are just starting to come (into form). He ran when the stable was a little quieter and we think and hope he can come forward from Sandown.”