5 minutes Check out David Cummings' latest tips from the Curragh
The Curragh hosts the 160th running of the Irish Derby on Sunday, the most prestigious prize in Ireland for aspiring three-year-old colts. English Derby winner Lambourn, who was so impressive at Epsom, now bids to add another classic title to his resume.
We have a confirmed field of 10 going to post including the 1-2-3 home in the English equivalent. The ground is set to be good with a slight chance of rain forecast for the afternoon. Aiden O'Brien is the most successful trainer with 16 wins to his name and is seeking a hat-trick of wins after successes with Auguste Rodin (2023) and Los Angeles (2024).
Below I will evaluate each horse to try and find some value against the favourite.
16:10
1m4f Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) (3yo)
Lambourn to win back to back classics?
The English/Irish Derby double has been completed 17 times with Australia being the last to achieve this in 2014. Son of Australia, Lambourn (5/6) showed his rivals a clean pair of heels last time when barely seeing a rival at Epsom and will look to repeat the dose here. He wasn't without his supporters last time despite stable first jockey, Ryan Moore, preferring Delacroix however Moore is up in the saddle this time and is strong favourite to back his win up. I'd expect to see him bounce out and if he can find the same rhythm as Epsom it's hard to see how any of the re-opposing horses can reverse the form. Joint owner Michael Tabor has won the race a record 16 times and it appears like the €725,000 prize will be staying in Ireland once again.
Can Epsom Derby form be reversed?
Lazy Griff (14/1) and Tennessee Stud (5/1) chased Lambourn home in the Derby at Epsom with the former having seen the back of Lambourn twice in a row now. Lazy Griff has been much improved for the step up in trip as a three-year-old but it's hard to envision where the necessary improvement will come from. He has placed prospects at best here whilst Tennessee Stud was having his first try at this trip when keeping on from out of the pack. In this smaller field I could see him getting closer to the favourite assuming he can be ridden a little more prominently. A win here would give Joseph O'Brien a second success in the race after landing it back in 2018 with Latrobe.
Beckett horse out for redemption
Pride Of Arras (8/1) instantly became one of the favourites for the Epsom Derby after surging to the front in the Dante at York the time before. He's one of the more interesting contenders here but everybody was left scratching their heads last time at Epsom where he was never sighted with no real explanation for the poor run. He's certainly better than what he offered last time and connections will be hoping to see more of the spark we saw at York. Trainer Ralph Beckett has started to fire in the winners in the last few days and has tasted success in this race before with Westover in 2022. Not without a chance if re-discovering his spark.
Jessie Harrington dreaming of glory
She may be best known for her Champion Chase hero Moscow Flyer however Green Impact (13/2) is bidding to give Jessie Harrington her first winner of the Irish Classic and this would potentially mean more to her than any of her previous winners. This one ran well in the 2000 Guineas before losing a shoe when the race started to heat up then stepped in trip to make all last time in a Leopardstown Listed Race. Connections are bullish about this one's chances to see out the extra 3 furlong trip and will likely try and drop in behind the pace. Will have a chance if seeing out the new trip and there will be some scenes in the winner's enclosure if this one lands the spoils.
The rest of the runners
Aiden O'Brien accounts for four of the other five runners and although at bigger prices they include a Listed and Group 3 winner being Puppet Master (18/1) and Thrice (100/1) respectively. Puppet Master just did enough to hold on last time in the Lingfield Derby trial and has been kept fresh for this. One thing in his favour is he's proven over the trip and may run into a place at generous odds. Thrice was awarded the race last time at the Curragh and hasn't had too many starts albeit he does have a mountain to find on ratings however.
Serious Contender (40/1) returned with a Handicap win at Leopardstown before running a cracking race in the King George V Heritage Handicap at Ascot where he agonisingly came up just short. Again, another with plenty to find on ratings but is clearly improving and will stay the trip.
Sir Dinadan (66/1) has also traveled over from the UK and another representing the Beckett yard but came up short last time in a Listed event and is here likely to pester Lambourn up front. Shackleton (125/1) would cause a huge shock if he was to win this. He was fourth in the Queen's Vase last time. Another that appears to be making up the numbers.
The Verdict
Ballydoyle's firm grip on the Irish Derby looks set to continue and Lambourn is clearly the one to beat on all known form. He may yet have more improvement in him but the short odds reflect this. Pride Of Arras may bounce back to the form that saw him pick off his rivals in the Dante with the Beckett team no strangers to success in the race. He can give the favourite most to think about whilst Tennessee Stud can fill the places and finish a bit closer to the selection assuming he doesn't get as far behind to start with this time.
