RACING:EVERY FINGER on the Curragh will be firmly crossed this morning that Carlton House's name will feature among the list of entries for Sunday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby after the crucial five-day forfeit stage.
Although bookmakers already reckon Queen Elizabeth’s runner will line up for the €1.25 million classic – Carlton House is as low as 6-4 favourite in early ante-post betting – the Michael Stoute trained colt has yet to be given a definite green light for the Curragh.
His presence would be the making of the 2011 renewal of Ireland’s premier classic in which the all-powerful Aidan O’Brien will be attempting to secure a sixth victory in a row with another hugely powerful team.
The champion trainer’s wife Anne-Marie confirmed yesterday that the quartet of Treasure Beach, Memphis Tennessee, Recital and Seville will line up on Sunday as O’Brien pursues a ninth Irish Derby success in all.
All four lined up at Epsom where Treasure Beach belied his 25-1 odds to finish runner-up to Pour Moi under Colm O’Donoghue.
The ground at the Curragh yesterday remained “good” ahead of the five-day forfeit stage which is also expected to see the Ed Dunlop trained Native Khan, fifth to Pour Moi at Epsom, left in. The trainer, however, will also have a huge interest in Saturday’s Group One feature, the Stobart Pretty Polly Stakes.
Last year’s dual-Oaks heroine Snow Fairy is due to reappear in the 10-furlong event but faces a major task against Henry Cecil’s prolific Group One winner Midday and the Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Misty For Me, who flies the flag for the classic generation.
Paddy Power have installed Midday as their 5-6 favourite to emerge best with Snow Fairy a 2-1 second best. Misty For Me is a 13-2 shot. A total of 14 entries remain in the Pretty Polly in all and they also include the Stoute trained Eleanora Duse.
Saturday’s support events include the Group Three Attheraces Curragh Cup, where English trainer Mark Johnston has left in both Fox Hunt and Jukebox Jury, while the other Group Three is the Grangecon Stud Stakes for juveniles which includes John Oxx’s impressive Leopardstown winner Rubina.
Paddy Power bet – Irish Derby: 7-4 Carlton House, 7-2 Treasure Beach, 4 Recital, 8 Seville, 10 Native Khan, 12 Memphis Tennessee, 20 Dunboyne Express, 25 Noble Graduate.
Pretty Polly Stakes: 5-6 Midday, 2-1 Snow Fairy, 13-2 Misty for Me, 20-1 Eleanora Duse, Chrysanthemum, Claiomh Solais, Wild Wind, Aoife Alainn. 25-1 bar.
SO YOU THINK OUT TO ECLIPSE WORKFORCE
SO YOU THINK has been installed favourite with some bookmakers ahead of a potential mouth-watering clash with Workforce in Sandown’s Eclipse Stakes on Saturday week.
The Aidan O’Brien team yesterday confirmed the Eclipse as the ex-Australian runner’s next race after his controversial Royal Ascot defeat in the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes last week.
Anne-Marie O’Brien said yesterday: “We are looking at the Coral Eclipse in Sandown as So You Think’s next start.”
That could result in a tussle with last year’s Derby and Arc hero Workforce who returned to action with a win in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown earlier this month. Paddy Power though make So You Think an 11-8 favourite with Workforce on 15-8.
