Saturday 29th June 2019
Author: Jordan Yates
Image: Jordan Yates
Graphics: Logopit Plus
Irish Derby (Group 1)
It’s Derby Day at the Curragh which takes centre stage with the Group 1 feature taking place at 5.20 and we see the winner of the English equivalent currently head affairs as Anthony Van Dyke sits at the top of the market for Aidan O’Brien at a best priced of 11/8. He’s won both of his starts to date this season including that Epsom success and is the obvious worthy favourite here under Ryan Moore and is very much the one to beat.
Anthony Van Dyke currently heads a five strong challenge from Ballydoyle with Broome seemingly looking the second string here under Donnacha O’Brien. A smart horse in his own right and was last seen when finishing fourth in the Epsom Derby when one of the market principals on that occasion, he currently trades at a general 3/1 in the betting. Norway also lines up here for O’Brien on the back of a poor effort at Royal Ascot when going off favourite for the Queen’s Vase, he finished back in 9th that day and consequently finds himself an outsider here and looking slightly up against it. He’s the mount of Seamie Heffernan who rode Anthony Van Dyke to his Epsom success. Wayne Lordan will be riding Il Paradiso and Padraig Beggy will be on board Sovereign and this duo conclude the Ballydoyle runners and are 50/1 & 66/1 respectively.
Currently the second favourite in the market is Madhmoon who was a close second at Epsom behind the market leader, he’s a smart colt who won his first two outings impressively,, he hasn’t got his head in front yet this term but has posted solid efforts in top contests. Chris Hayes takes the ride and he can be found trading at a best priced of 5/2. Also sporting the Hamdan Al Maktoum colours is Rakan, winner of two of his four starts he represents Dermot Weld here and is the mount of Jim Crowley and he’s around the 20/1 mark. Guaranteed concludes the field for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning at 50/1.
Race Verdict:
Anthony Van Dyke will obviously be a tough nut to crack here if turning up in the same form of his Epsom success however I’m willing to side with MADHMOON to reverse the placings here. I still think there’s a fair bit more to come from him and despite having to get the better of what I imagine will be tactically run affair I think he may have enough class in the locker to do just that. I think there’s got to be a Group 1 in him this term.
WIN: MADHMOON (5/2)
Saturday Selections:
Curragh
Dash Stakes:
SOUTHERN HORSE (12/1) (E/W)
Celebration Stakes:
OLD GLORY (5/1) (E/W)
Irish Village Handicap:
SALTONSTALL (16/1) (E/W)
International Stakes:
ADDEYBB (10/11) (Nap)
Railway Stakes:
MONARCH OF EGYPT (7/4)
Irish Derby:
MADHMOON (5/2)
Newmarket
Criterion Stakes:
LIMATO (5/2)
Newcastle
Chipchase Stakes:
INVINCIBLE ARMY (13/8)
Everything Racing 