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Camelot heads Irish Derby 11

Camelot is set to line up in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at 7.40pm at the Curragh this Saturday.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained sensation will face a maximum of 10 opponents in a bid to add this prestigious prize to his wins in the Newmarket 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby.

Aidan O’Brien, who is chasing his 10th victory in this race and his seventh in succession, has also left Epsom Derby third Astrology in the race along with Daddy Long Legs, Imperial Monarch, Daddy Long Legs and Learn.

Local trainer John Oxx (won this with Sinndar in 2000 and with Alamshar three years later) is also well represented here with three contenders in Akeed Mofeed, Call To Battle and recent Royal Ascot fourth Born To Sea.

Another local trainer Dermot Weld also has two successes (Zagreb in 1996 and Grey Swallow in 2004) to his name in this race and is represented this time around be the highly progressive course winner Speaking Of Which.

Meanwhile, Jim Bolger (won the race with St. Jovite back in 1992) saddles another progressive colt in Light Heavy, who is bidding to land his fourth straight victory of the season on Saturday evening.

Bookmakers Paddy Power make Camelot their 1/4 favourite. They then go 9/1 Imperial Monarch, 12/1 Speaking Of Which, 16/1 Light Heavy and Akeed Mofeed, 20/1 Astrology and Born To Sea, 25/1 Daddy Long Legs and Father Of Science, 50/1 Learn and 66/1 Call To Battle.

The supporting card includes the Group 2 Dubai Duty Free Railway Stakes, in which Aidan O’Brien has seven of the 12 entries.

The Group 3 Woodies D.I.Y Sapphire Stakes features a very strong British trained challenge including Tiddliwinks, Eton Rifles and Definightly and the Listed Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes has attracted prolific winner Famous Name, Sharestan and Native Khan, now with John Oxx.

The David Barron-trained Bertiewhittle has been installed as the  8/1 favourite by the sponsors for the Paddy Power Sprint which has attracted 27 entries.

Singer Ronan Keating will perform at 8pm after the last race on Saturday.

The ground at the Curragh is currently yielding to soft.

25-June-2012

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