22 MAY 1964, Page 11

Santa Claus

In the first 'Spectator's Notebook' that I con- tributed I drew attention to the claims of Santa Claus, the Irish-trained son of Chamossaire, as a winter favourite for the Derby to be run on June 3. Then you could have got six to one. More recently he was quoted at eights. After last Satur- day's superb display in the Irish 2,000 Guineas he looks like starting the shortest priced favourite for the Derby since Crepello won in 1957 at six to four. We know Santa Claus has blinding speed. His pedigree should guarantee that he stays for a mile and a half at least. With reasonable luck in the running, and no horse wins the Epsom Derby without that, he should Win.