Irish Derby Preview

Derby winner Pour Moi is absent but the second, third, fourth and fifth placed horses from Epsom all line up. These are the runners in the Irish Derby:

Carlton House: 6/4
Finished third in the Epsom Derby when sent off the 5/2 favourite. Jockey Ryan Moore gave the excuse that he was hampered in the straight and that cost him the race. The interference probably wasn’t that bad and Pour Moi would still have beaten him. Only a 30th April foal, he is still very young and I wouldn’t rule out enough improvement to seem him win this. He is currently the best backed horse in the race.

Treasure Beach: 7/2
Second in the English Derby, he can be considered unlucky as he was beaten in a photo finish. Always tracking the pacemaker he was ideally positioned during the race. Possibly flattered by the result. His Chester form was boosted by Nathaniel winning at Royal Ascot.

Seville: 11/2
Second behind Carlton House in the Dante, he then ran no sort of race at Epsom. Reportedly unsuited to the track, a return to a more conventional racecourse will help. Has it all to prove again having won only one of his five starts.

Native Khan: 14/1
Dispelled the worries over his stamina by finishing fifth in the Derby. He didn’t handle the reverse camber in the straight and had his run slightly checked in the last furlong. Possibly better than the result suggests. 

Roderic O’Connor: 20/1
Irish 2,000 Guineas champion and although a classy performer he is starting to look one dimensional. At his best when able to dictate the pace. He came unstuck over 1m2f in the Prix Du Jockey Club and the step up in trip doesn’t look like improving him.

Memphis Tennessee: 11/1
Employed as a pacemaker at Epsom, he was extremely game to hang onto fourth place. Set a strong early pace and that he was able to hang around at the end is to his immense credit.

Dunboyne Express: 33/1
After disappointing in the Irish Guineas he is stepped up in trip. On breeding you have to question if the extra four furlongs will suit him. 

Notable Graduate: 20/1
Has the makings of a decent stayer and the further he goes the better. Probably hasn’t got the turn of foot to win a Derby. Expect him to run a good race before a tilt at the St. Leger.