O'Brien picks his Derby quartet
Champion trainer Aidan O’Brien is to rely on a team of four in the Vodafone Derby on Saturday as he bids to win the blue riband for a record third consecutive year.
His representatives from the seven left in at the second forfeit stage are set to be ante-post favourite Brian Boru, Alberto Giacometti, Balestrini and The Great Gatsby.
With stable jockey Michael Kinane opting for Brian Boru, O’Brien outlined his other riding arrangements for Saturday’s Classic at Epsom.
“Pat Eddery on The Great Gatsby, Jamie Spencer will ride Balestrini and Alberto Giacometti Christophe Soumillon,” O’Brien said today.
“Christophe Soumillon is an excellent rider doing very well in France. He’s young and very determined.
“We’ve been busy here on the gallops since 7.30 this morning and the plan is still to run four.”
Brian Boru is 11-4 favourite with Coral to strike for O’Brien, who has won the last two Derbys with Galileo and High Chaparral.
Alberto Giacometti’s prospects received a boost with the victory of Dalakhani in the Prix du Jockey-Club.
Alberto Giacometti had finished third, beaten a length and three-quarters, behind that horse in the Prix Lupin on his latest start. As a result he was cut to 8-1 from 10-1 with William Hill, and to 10-1 from 12-1 with Ladbrokes.
Dalakhani’s owner the Aga Khan is hoping for a good run from his Epsom hope, Alamshar, trained by John Oxx.
“I think he’s a good horse. He will have had to progress again as this one has,” he said.
Magistretti, one of the main British hopes for the Vodafone Derby, pleased connections in a workout on the Rowley Mile racecourse in Newmarket today.
The Neville Callaghan-trained colt is top-priced 20-1 chance for Saturday’s Classic at Epsom having won both his starts this season in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket and York’s Tote Dante Stakes.
Vodafone Derby betting:
Coral: 11-4 Brian Boru, 7-2 Refuse To Bend, Alamshar, 11-1 Alberto Giacometti, 14-1 The Great Gatsby, Kris Kin, 16-1 Shield, Dutch Gold, 20-1 Magistretti, Norse Dancer, Franklins Garden, 33-1 bar.
Ladbrokes: 3-1 Brian Boru, 7-2 Refuse To Bend, 4-1 Alamshar, 10-1 Alberto Giacometti, 16-1 Dutch Gold, Kris Kin, Magistretti, The Great Gatsby, 20-1 Norse Dancer, Shield, 25-1 Franklins Gardens, 33-1 bar,
