Dermot Weld famously broke his Budweiser Irish Derby duck with the 20 to 1 Zagreb four years ago, and the Curragh trainer is already formulating his team for another long-shot crack at the big race in eight days. Weld has the trio of Muakaad, Media Puzzle and Grand Finale left in the race and will decide on Tuesday which will try to shock the $1 million bonus-seeking Derby winners Sinndar and Holding Court.
Cashmans bookmakers quote two of the Weld trio in their early ante-post betting which sees the Epsom Derby winner Sinndar a 5 to 4 favourite ahead of the French Derby winner Holding Court at 6 to 4.
Holding Court will have to be supplemented for the race and his trainer, Michael Jarvis, said: "We intend to supplement him. We will take it to the wire but that is the way we are thinking at the moment."
The supplementary deadline is noon on Tuesday.
Weld has runners in all four of the flat races run at Gowran tomorrow.
His best chance looks to lie with the Pat Smullen-ridden Air Of Approval in the seven furlong maiden based on the impression left from the filly's run behind Kermiyna over the course and distance on her last appearance.
Weld also has a couple of horses in the opener which features a Ballydoyle newcomer in the shape of the Deputy Minister colt Turnberry Isle. That one will have to be respected, but the selection is the Jim Bolger-trained Marsh Harrier. The Woodman filly went to her Leopardstown debut with a big reputation and, although she didn't win, she ran well to be second to the Queen Mary placed Little Firefly, especially since Marsh Harrier got a little upset in the stalls. She can make her experience count here.
There were few easier Gowran winners than Bamford Castle last autumn and, on the back of a Navan success, Mick Kinane's mount will be hard to beat again in the 14 furlong handicap, while Akasian looks the pick for Pat Hughes in the handicap hurdle.
