Record breaking O’Brien!

AIDAN O’BRIEN broke the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby record on Sunday, after landing the Classic for the fifth consecutive year.

Cape Blanco put his French form behind him after running a shocker in the Prix Du Jockey Club to land the money for Ballydoyle and Coolmore – who also enjoyed a 1, 2, 3 after both Midas Touch and Jan Vermeer stayed on gamely.

Admittedly I had backed Cape Blanco in the French equivalent purely on the basis that he had beaten Workforce in the Dante.  Sir Michael Stoute’s horse had then gone on to destroy the English Derby field at Epsom earlier this month.

However, something went drastically wrong that day as Johnny Murtagh claimed ‘he didn’t travel at all’.  But it was a great credit to Aidan O’Brien’s 3-y-o to come back home and put in a gutsy effort at the Curragh.

I would like to have seen Seamus Heffernan grab a handy, mid-division ‘posi’ aboard Jan Vermeer, who came there travelling the best off the home turn but the day went to Cape Blanco and I like many others will now look forward to a possible showdown between Workforce, Harbinger and Cape Blanco in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe??? Any thoughts?

Epsom Update..

2009 Investec Derby winner: Sea The Stars

 

 THIS WEEKEND will mark the 2010 renewal of the English Derby and Oaks Classic Festival at Epsom Downs.   

In what has been a very controversial week in terms of Derby speculation, the Investec Oaks field has remained un-altered as Henry Cecil’s duo Aviate and Timepiece will go head to head for Prince Khalid Abdullah on Friday.   

Elsewhere Rumoush ran a tidy race at Newmarket in the Feilden Stakes and could go well for jockey Richard Hills and trainer Marcus Tregoning.   

Richard’s brother Michael has also come out this week to talk up the chances of his mount, Champagnelifestyle for his father Barry.  Michael expressed he is happy with his filly who has a genuine, live outside chance at 20/1.   

But the Investec Derby on Saturday has raised the majority of eyebrows with news coming from Ballydoyle that both ante-post favourite St Nicholas Abbey and Dante Stakes victor, Cape Blanco are ruled out of the Classic.   

St Nicholas Abbey looked nailed on for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby after his devastating performance in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, but the form failed to live up to expectations at Newmarket where Aidan O’Brien’s 3-y-o could only manage sixth.  St Nich was reported to have come out of the race in good condition however, but a lame preparation has ruled him out.   

Cape Blanco on the other hand will simply bypass Epsom in favour of the French version in the Prix Du Jockey Club at Chantilly, 24 hours later.   

CONTROVERSY   

This has blown the Derby market wide open after early estimations suggest a £2 million loss in ante-post, St Nicholas Abbey bets.  Cape Blanco would have also gathered considerable momentum in the market after impressing the Dante but the exclusion of both means that Jan Vermeer currently holds favouritism for the O’Brien team.  Johnny Murtagh will get the leg-up before flying out to France to partner Cape Blanco.   

On the plus side this week, Kieron Fallon has been given the opportunity to ride in the Derby after a telephone call from Saeed Bin Suroor means Fallon will ride for Godolphin aboard Al Zir.   

VALUE   

I like the chances of the pair that ran behind Cape Blanco in the Dante – Workforce and Coordinated Cut for Sir Michael Stoute and Michael Bell.  Both have had excellent preparation leading up to the Classic and Coordinated Cut especially provides great each way value at 20/1.   

The Coronation Cup on Friday also looks set to be a enthralling encounter with last term’s Classic form heading the market.  Irish Derby winner and English Derby runner-up, Fame And Glory will go head to head with last season’s Oaks winner Sariska.  Also in the field is the impressive Youmzain for Mick Channon and Kieron Fallon who has finished second in the last two Arc De Triomphe’s at Longchamp, most recently behind the magical Sea The Stars.   

This weekend’s racing at the Epsom Festival looks set to be the most exciting yet, and I for one cannot wait!