Seven Derby hopefuls left for O’Brien
Aidan O’Brien is playing his cards close to his chest after leaving seven horses in the Epsom Derby.
The champion Irish trainer’s team is headed by US Army Ranger, the equal 4-1 favourite to give O’Brien a sixth win in the premier Classic on Saturday.
At his second start, US Army Ranger won the Chester Vase, beating stablemate Port Douglas who is still in consideration for the Derby.
Completing O’Brien’s team are Dante Stakes second Deauville, Idaho, Shogun, Beacon Rock and Bravery.
As expected, O’Brien withdrew French 2000 Guineas winner The Gurkha.
“They are all still in the mix for the Derby, and the first half of the week will tell us a lot and we’ll see the forecast,” O’Brien said.
“Nothing has been decided yet about riding arrangements, and Ryan (Moore) will be left as long as he wants to make up his mind.
“The French Derby is the next day and we’ll try to have runners in both.”
The other market leader is Wings Of Desire who burst on to the Derby scene when he won the Dante.
He bids to give trainer John Gosden back-to-back successes after Golden Horn 12 months ago.