4.35 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) 1m 4f
Action: Dropped away tamely under positive tactics in the Derby, almost shaping as though he mightn’t have relished the step up to a mile and a half. Previous second in the Dante on better ground was more encouraging. Cheekpieces tried at Epsom removed now and he faces a much sounder surface than then, although he was second in a heavy-ground Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last year.
Benvenuto Cellini: Ground has come right for this year’s 3/1 Derby favourite at Epsom, as he bids to leave behind a 10th-place finish in that classic on more testing ground than he wanted (although he was officially declared a non-runner after a controversial start that had him slowly away). Had previously looked an ideal candidate for a race like this when winning the Chester Vase in a thoroughly likeable fashion. Ryan Moore sticking with him is an obvious positive for his chances.
Bunyola Bay: Progressive colt earned a shot at this €1.25 million prize after landing the €200,000 Irish Stallion Farms EBF Gowran Classic just under four weeks ago. Impressive there and clearly going the right way but this represents a huge step up in class, having beaten rivals rated 83 and 79 last time (albeit giving them 11lb apiece).
Christmas Day: Didn’t have quite the fancy profile as some of his stablemates entering the Derby at Epsom but proved the best equipped for the soft-ground test at hand when winning at 7/1 under Ronan Whelan – outstaying his rivals for a two-and-three-quarter-length success. His three previous wins came on heavy, yielding and good-to-yielding, and his sole defeat this season (four and a half lengths behind Item when third in the Dante) came on good, so question mark over quick conditions for him.
James J Braddock: Getting better with every start and his third in the Derby at Epsom (finishing five and a quarter lengths behind Christmas Day) can surely be upgraded given how coltish he became in the preliminaries. Testing ground was thought to be in his favour then, being a heavy-ground maiden winner at two, but he did win the Cashel Palace Derby Trial at Leopardstown on good, getting up late to beat Pierre Bonnard by a short-head. If Epsom hasn’t left its mark and he can put his best foot forward on this ground, he’ll be involved. The Curragh might be less of a test for him mentally than what he faced on a huge occasion at Epsom last time.
Pierre Bonnard: Always held in high regard by connections and viewed as Ballydoyle’s number-one Epsom hope through the winter, but he hasn’t gone forward as hoped so far at three. Ordinary enough comeback when beating only two rivals in a nine-runner Ballysax (thought to need the run badly), took a sizeable step forward to finish second in the Cashel Palace (didn’t look the most willing in the closing stages) and then beaten 10 lengths in seventh at Epsom (rider said he “didn’t know if it was a problem of concentration or if the track was not what he really likes”). Group 1-winning juvenile certainly has the talent to mix it with these if producing his best, but must bounce back.
Raaheeb: British raider is bred to be top drawer, being a brother to the world-class Baaeed and Coronation Cup/King George winner Hukum. Has won his first two starts in smart style too. Stepped up from a seven-furlong Ascot debut win at two to readily claim Sandown’s Classic Trial nine weeks ago, beating a couple of rivals who have been safely held since. Missed Epsom after reportedly stiff following that run on good ground, though x-rays revealed nothing untoward. He is the most inexperienced runner in the line-up, which won’t be ideal, but there’s every chance we’re just scratching the surface with him and he could have more progression in him than most of these.
Shaihaan: Talented colt by sire of the moment Night Of Thunder has been mixing it with smart company since winning his maiden here in March. Beaten a handful of lengths by James J Braddock and Pierre Bonnard when fourth of five in the Cashel Palace before third to subsequent Royal Ascot winner Causeway in the Gallinule. Rating of 103 leaves him with a fair deal to find, though stepping up to this trip could help.
Conclusion
An unusual situation where, for the first time, the Ballydoyle number-one rider is not partnering the Derby winner from Epsom in the Curragh equivalent. Ryan Moore’s faith in Benvenuto Cellini isn’t a surprise in these conditions, though he does have a tough race to bounce back from last time.
With the Derby run on soft ground for the first time since 1983, perhaps the freshness of Epsom absentee Raaheeb could count for something extra, and he looks an exciting colt for the Shadwell team. He’s got the pedigree to be a player at this level and this feels like an Irish Derby without a true standout on form.