3.40 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) 1m 4f

Adelaide River: One of five in the race for Aidan O’Brien. Last season’s Criterium de Saint-Cloud third and Beresford Stakes second probably didn’t run all that badly when eighth in the Derby at Epsom given he never looked entirely comfortable with the demands of the track. Would be a shock winner but not a major surprise if he manages to sneak into the first four.

Auguste Rodin: Outstanding colt bids for his third Group 1 success and is clearly the one to beat after coming home strongly to win the Derby at Epsom 29 days ago. That was quite the effort after bombing out completely in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, and his Derby form was boosted by runner-up King Of Steel winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Covent Garden: Not overly exposed but rated just 97. The Galileo colt finished third to stablemate Peking Opera in a messy running of the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan seven weeks ago. Could well show better in a more testing race like this but would be a massive surprise if he’s good enough to upset the big guns.

Peking Opera: Came home well to win the Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan in mid-May but only able to finish mid-field in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot 11 days ago. Another who could appreciate a strong tempo to run at over this trip but rated 99 and has plenty on his plate in this company.

Proud And Regal: Classy juvenile last season, winning the Group 1 Criterium International and Group 3 Tyros Stakes, as well as chasing home Al Riffa here in the Group 1 National Stakes in September. Not a bad effort despite being turned over as 6/4 favourite on his Derby Trial comeback behind Sprewell and Up And Under, and likely to appreciate going back up in trip after finishing seventh to Paddington in the Irish 2000 Guineas (beaten six and a quarter lengths). Stamina at this distance an unknown and needs to raise his game but could be placed.

San Antonio: Useful-looking winner of the Dee Stakes at Chester weakened out of it to finish 11th in Derby behind Auguste Rodin (rider said he hung right-handed off the bend in the straight). Needs to prove he stays this far and best form on soft ground but could be overpriced from an each-way perspective if able to forgive Epsom blip.

Sprewell: Improved plenty from two to three, as evidenced by Derby Trial win over Up And Under and Proud And Regal at Leopardstown before being beaten seven lengths by Auguste Rodin in the Derby. Encountered traffic problems on that occasion and could easily get closer to that rival this time around.

Up And Under: Yet to get off the mark in three attempts but rated 106 and finished just half a length behind White Birch in the Ballysax Stakes and also was closest rival to Sprewell in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown. More on his plate now but bypassed Epsom so has freshness on his side. If those who made the trip to the British equivalent fail to run up to scratch, he shouldn’t be all that far away to pick up pieces.

White Birch: Caused 22/1 upset when winning the Ballysax on his seasonal bow but time has proved there was no fluke about that performance. Stayed on encouragingly when second, beaten a neck, in the Dante Stakes at York.

Not always the quickest away and did some good late work after getting out of his ground in the Derby at Epsom, finishing five and a quarter lengths off Auguste Rodin in third.

Deemed the favourite’s biggest threat on ratings but still has 9lb to find. Obvious place chance.

Conclusion:

For all that he isn’t guaranteed to run to his very best, having likely had to work hard to get up to concert pitch for the Derby after a Newmarket blowout, Auguste Rodin is extremely difficult to oppose and can break Ryan Moore’s Irish Derby duck. Moore, arguably the world’s greatest jockey, has been beaten on seven favourites since his first ride in the race back in 2007 but this is right up there with his best chance to get off the mark yet. Sprewell and White Birch are closely matched but the former makes most appeal to challenge for second spot after running well despite a troubled passage at Epsom. Up And Under might be the each-way play in the race in terms of betting without Auguste Rodin. He looks open to improvement.