Darley 'likely' to take percussionist ride
Kevin Darley is “likely” to partner Percussionist in the Vodafone Derby, according to the colt’s trainer John Gosden.
The former champion jockey, who was aboard when Percussionist won his maiden at Newmarket in April, is expected to come in for the ride because of Frankie Dettori’s commitments to Godolphin.
Dettori, who is due to ride the well-backed second-favourite Snow Ridge in the Epsom Classic on June 5, rode Percussionist on his latest start, a 10-length victory in Lingfield’s Gallagher Group Ltd Derby Trial earlier this month.
Gosden said: “Nothing has yet been firmed up – there is still plenty of time between now and Epsom, but I think it is likely Kevin Darley will ride. In all probability he will, anyway”.
Cairdeas, an easy winner at Naas earlier this month, was the subject of a huge ante-post gamble for the Derby.
Coral and William Hill have slashed the Dermot Weld-trained colt’s odds for the June 5 race to 14-1 from 33-1 while Ladbrokes go 16-1 from the same price.
“We were knocked over for the 33-1, cut him to 20-1, but shrewd punters kept backing him at that price including one bet of £1,000 (€1,500) each way,” explained Simon Clare, Coral spokesman.
“This is the most extraordinary ante-post plunge of the Flat season so far, though we will find out how informed it was when Cairdeas runs at the Curragh on Sunday.”
Balthazar Fabricius of Ladbrokes added: “In terms of managing our Derby liabilities we were fully focused on the usual suspects of Yeats, Snow Ridge and North Light but the move for Cairdeas has instantly added some extra spice to the market.
“Should the horse bolt up by four lengths on Sunday in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh, don’t be surprised if he is suddenly a single figure price for the Derby.”
Cairdeas beat Crested Pochard by four lengths in a 10-furlong maiden event at Naas 15 days ago and is due to run in the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh on Sunday.
Vodafone Derby betting:
Coral: 5-2 Yeats, 7-2 Snow Ridge, 9-2 North Light, 10-1 American Post, 12-1 Salford City, 14-1 Cairdeas, Azamour, Rule Of Law, Let The Lion Roar, 16-1 Ecomium, Percussionist, Grey Swallow, 20-1 Bull Run, 25-1 Meath, 33-1 Book Of Kings, Duke Of Venice, Moscow Ballet, 50-1 Pukka, Almuraad, Elshadi, 66-1 Massif Centrale, Moncreiff, Return In Style, 80-1 Coming Again, 100-1 Shaaban.
Ladbrokes: 9-4 Yeats, 3-1 Snow Ridge, 4-1 North Light, 14-1 Salford City, Percussionist, 16-1 Cairdeas, Rule Of Law, 20-1 Ecomium, 25-1 Let The Lion Roar, 33-1 Elshadi, 40-1 Almuraad, 66-1 Coming Again, Pukka, Return In Style, 100-1 Massif Centrale, 200-1 Shaaban.
William Hill: 5-2 Yeats, 7-2 Snow Ridge, 4-1 North Light, 10-1 American Post, 14-1 Bull Run (to be supplemented), Cairdeas, 16-1 Ecomium, Percussionist, Rule Of Law, Salford City, 25-1 Let The Lion Roar, 33-1 Book of Kings, Duke of Venice, 50-1 Almuraad, Meath, 66-1 Elshadi, Moscow Ballet.
