RYAN Moore, Kieren Fallon and Mick Kinane. That is the elite group of riders across the last 40 years to complete the Oaks-Derby double in the same year at Epsom - a select band that Dylan Browne McMonagle would savour the chance to join with victory aboard James J Braddock this afternoon.

The 23-year-old had the coolest hands in south London yesterday afternoon when carving through the Betfred Oaks field on brilliant winner Thundering On for his boss Joseph O’Brien. The pair believe that their Betfred Derby (4.00) representative, who lowered the colours of Pierre Bonnard in the Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial last time, has a similar profile to their three-and-three-quarter-length Oaks heroine.

Slow ground isn’t a worry either for the extremely well-bought Zarak colt; a 40,000gns yearling who won his maiden on heavy ground at the Curragh last autumn. He is giving owners Kevin Blake and Aziz Kheir Aust Partners the thrill of a lifetime in the lead-up to today’s £2 million prize.

Speaking after his first British classic success yesterday, Browne McMonagle said: “These are the races you want to be riding in, to be competitive in. The Derby is the headline race everyone wants to win, so to be riding in it with a live chance is exciting.

Colt on the up

“James J Braddock is an improving horse in a competitive race. If he gets a good set up, I think the ground will be fine for him and the trip will be good. He’s exciting and improving so you never know when they’ll stop progressing.

“The penny only really dropped with him in the last 100 yards at Leopardstown and he really hit the line strong. He’s got plenty of class as well. He’s got the same kind of profile as the filly [Thundering On], so you never know. We’ll give it our best go.”

On his fruitful and thriving link-up with O’Brien, Ireland’s champion jockey of 2025 added: “It’s unreal. His results speak for themselves. He’s different class and I’m very lucky to be there. From when I was an apprentice to the whole way through, he’s been a huge supporter of mine and backed me all along.

“Putting the faith in me in these big races is what every young jockey needs to get to the next level and I’m glad I can reward him with these type of winners. There’s a big team at home who make this happen too.”

The last rider to complete the Oaks-Derby double in the same year was Ryan Moore in 2010, successful aboard Snow Fairy and Workforce.