The Irish Derby (G1)

It would appear to be a match between the Epsom Oaks winner and Epsom Derby third.

Tuesday improved from the Guineas trip where she was third at Newmarket and second at the Curragh to take the Oaks in what was a fortunate win given what happened to Emily Upjohn whose stumbling start left her with an awful lot to do. The fact that she tested Tuesday who’d got a clean run all the way up the straight was testament to her her ability. That Tuesday was able to hang on having produced a serious turn of foot to put distance between her and the chasing pack should not be forgotten. The pair had pulled clear of Nashwa who franked the form by winning the Prix de Diane in good style last week.

While the Oaks had a degree of misfortune the Derby also left a question mark. Not quite as pronounced, the winner was never going to be caught however Westover who’d been caught in a pocket ran on to be third and had a clear run emerged he’d have been a lot closer to the winner Desert Crown and might even have got up to be second.

Hanibal Barca won the Gallinule here over 1m2f in May. He wasn’t sent to Epsom and trainer Joseph O’Brien has kept him fresh for this. He rolled in approaching the line cutting off the run of Boundless Ocean back in third whose a lot better than his form figures suggest. He chased home Cairdre Go Deo at Leopardstown since.

Lionel didn’t go to Epsom either having taken the Cocked Hat at Goodwood. He ground it out winning a neck from Aidous Huxley and ¾L from Lysander. The latter didn’t boost the form when third beaten 4L in the King Edward VII Stakes at Ascot by Changingoftheguard.

Neither Piz Badile or Glory Daze handled Epsom, the former having won the Ballysax in April and the latter having chased home Stone Age in the Leopardstown Derby Trial where French Cliam ran third.

The booking of Colin Keane on the Juddmonte horse is a good call. Hard as it is on Rob Hornby it’s the right decision. Colin is a superstar, the best jockey in Ireland and the man in form having ridden a four-timer here last night.

We are in for a battle. The speed shown by Tuesday when set alight at Epsom on her birthday indicates she’ll be like her sister Minding who improved throughout the season. She incidently was only tried once over the this trip when she won the Oaks at Epsom reverting to 10f and a mile thereafter. Tuesday must be showing a lot at home given she’s the sole representive from Ballydoyle and there is confidence she’ll be able reproduce over this course. Colin will track her and there won’t be much in it with Boundless Ocean coming out best of the rest.

Recommendation

Tuesday 7/4 win

Tuesday, Westover and Boundess Ocean for the tricast (in that order).

Follow All The Action

Pattern Racing World Championships 2022 – Horse

Pattern Racing World Championships 2022 – Sire

Pattern Racing World Championships 2022 – Jockey

Pattern Racing World Championships 2022 – Trainer

Pattern Racing World Championships 2022 – Owner

Pattern Racing World Championships 2022 – Breeder