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Aidan O’Brien has confirmed seven possibles, headed by favourite Benvenuto Cellini, for Saturday’s Betfred Derby as the Ballydoyle maestro attempts to follow up his Chantilly triumph by winning the Epsom Classic for the fourth time in a row.
O’Brien, who masterminded a phenomenal 1-2-3 in Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club, left plenty of options open for the Derby as 17 horses moved forward on Monday.
Winner of the Chester Vase on his seasonal return last month, Benvenuto Cellini hardened as the 7-4 favourite with all firms and appears set to be joined by stablemate Pierre Bonnard, who is third favourite despite two defeats this year.
Action and Christmas Day also feature for O’Brien, who removed Chantilly one-two Constitution River and Hawk Mountain from Epsom contention.
Item: main danger to Ballydoyle?Credit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Item, who extended his unbeaten record to three in last month’s Dante Stakes, is judged to be the main danger to Benvenuto Cellini at 7-2 generally, while Lingfield Derby Trial one-two Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance are other key contenders for Britain.
James J Braddock, who caused an upset when beating Pierre Bonnard in Leopardstown’s Derby Trial, and Amo Racing’s Ancient Egypt are others prominent in the betting.
The Derby picture will become a lot clearer on Wednesday when the final declarations take place at the 72-hour stage, a day earlier than for normal Saturday races.
The draw and jockey bookings will also be known at that stage in an attempt to further generate excitement for the big race following a successful trial last year.
Action Aidan O’Brien
Alderman Richard Hannon
Ancient Egypt Charlie Johnston
A Taste of Glory Andrew Balding
Balzac Jane Chapple-Hyam
Bay Of Brilliance Ralph Beckett
Benvenuto Cellini Aidan O’Brien
Causeway Aidan O’Brien
Christmas Day Aidan O’Brien
Endorsement Aidan O’Brien
Item Andrew Balding
James J Braddock Joseph O’Brien
Maltese Cross William Haggas
Pierre Bonnard Aidan O’Brien
Poker Karl Burke
Proposition Aidan O’Brien
Rebel Rocker Faye Bramley
Betfred Derby (4.00 Epsom, June 6)
Betfred: 7-4 Benvenuto Cellini, 7-2 Item, 7 Pierre Bonnard, 17-2 Maltese Cross, 10 James J Braddock, 14 Ancient Egypt, Bay Of Brilliance, 20 Action, 25 Christmas Day, 50 Endorsement, 66 Causeway, 100 Proposition, Rebel Rocker, 150 A Taste Of Glory, Balzac, 200 Alderman, Poker
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Big Coronation Cup rematch on cards
Last year’s one-two Jan Brueghel and Calandagan remain on course for a rematch in the Coolmore Coronation Cup at Epsom on Saturday.
Moved to Derby day this year from Friday and with boosted prize-money of £1 million, the Coronation Cup attracted eight confirmations on Monday, with Calandagan heading the betting at around even-money.
Calandagan, officially named as the world’s best racehorse after his 2025 exploits and winner of the Sheema Classic on his only start this year, has racked up five straight Group 1 victories in four different countries since his defeat at Epsom last year.
Jan Brueghel (right) and Calandagan rematch moves a step closerCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)
Jan Brueghel, who warmed up for this assignment by winning last month’s Ormonde Stakes at Chester, denied Calandagan by half a length in a thrilling finish to the Coronation Cup last year.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for two of the top four in the betting with Jan Brueghel priced at 5-2 and last year’s Derby winner Lambourn, who was also successful at Chester last month with victory in the Huxley Stakes, around the 6-1 mark. The trainer has also confirmed Illinois.
Four-year-old Convergent, successful on his return in the John Porter Stakes at Newbury, is the unknown quantity at 5-1 for his first attempt in a domestic Group 1.
Bay City Roller George Scott
Calandagan Francis Graffard
Convergent Karl Burke
Illinois Aidan O’Brien
Jan Brueghel Aidan O’Brien
Lambourn Aidan O’Brien
Sunway David Menuisier
See The Fire Andrew Balding
Coolmore Coronation Cup (2.40 Epsom, June 6)
Paddy Power: Evens Calandagan, 5-2 Jan Brueghel, 9-2 Convergent, 5 Lambourn, 20 Bay City Roller, 33 Illinois, See The Fire, 100 Sunway
Rain on the way at Epsom
The going at Epsom quickened slightly to good to firm, good in places on Monday morning (from good, good to firm in places), but rain is on the way before the two-day sixture gets under way with Betfred Oaks day on Friday.
Some rain is on Monday evening with the Met Office suggesting at least 10mm through the subsequent 24-hour period and the possibility for up to 20mm. However, the forecast for racing on Friday and Saturday is looking positive, according to the track’s general manager Jim Allen.
“We have four different forecasts that we look at regularly and all of them overnight have changed to say that Friday and Saturday will be about 20C and sunny with no rain,” Allen told Luck on Sunday.
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‘He could do whatever you asked him to do’ – Ryan Moore hails Constitution River as Aidan O’Brien saddles amazing 1-2-3
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