Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:26 | Winning time: 2m 9.18s

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Selected odds by:

(4)

Blenheim Palace¹⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: E J McNamara| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 86| D

33/1

Son of Galileo is a full-brother to top class Churchill and Clemmie. Basly hampered on handicap debut at Leopardstown and duly improved to get off the mark over this trip at Naas. Should improve over further and likely front-running duties here.

Form: 074-81

(3)

Broome³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: D O'Brien| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 115| CD

2/5

Won his maiden on soft ground and rounded off by finishing runner up in a Group 2 here, then a Group 1 in France. Returned with an easy demolition job in the Ballysax Stakes over this C&D and a leading Derby hope. Clearly the one to beat.

Form: 51622-1

(6)

Buckhurst³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Wayne Lordan| T: J P O'Brien| C

16/1

Son of Australia, entered in the Epsom Derby and made a winning debut in a hot maiden, over a mile here on soft ground last month. Got up on the line and is only going to improve as he moves up in trip. Remains a smart prospect.

Form: 1

(5)

Guaranteed^t³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 106| C

20/1

Progressive as a juvenile winning the Group 3 Eyrefield Stakes over 1m1f on his final start. Sent off 7/1 on his return in the Ballysax but got in a pace battle and eased once headed. Better than that but hard to see him reversing form with Broome.

Form: 15721-6

(2)

Pythion³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 100| C

20/1

Dead heated on good ground debut here last July and set a tough ask when not disgraced in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at Naas. Upped to 1m2f for return on soft in Ballysax Stakes for a good third (12L behind Broome). Likely to keep improving.

Form: 16-3

(7)

Rakan²⁰⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: Chris Hayes| T: D K Weld| OR: 95| C

7/1

Not given a hard time on debut when 7L third of nine last October and duly improved on quick reappearance to win over a mile here. Bred to be smart as he moves up in trip and respected on reappearance. Trainer has won two of the last five renewals.

Form: 31-

(1)

Sovereign³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-3| J: J A Heffernan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

7/1

Front runner who won his maiden by 14L in the mud at Galway and then good fourth in Group 2 Beresford and third in Group 3 Eyrefield. Helped set a strong pace on return in the Ballysax and did well to keep on for 8L second to stablemate Broome.

Form: 56143-2

Forecasts

Broome (2/5), Sovereign (7/1), Rakan (7/1), Buckhurst (16/1), Guaranteed (20/1), Pythion (20/1), Blenheim Palace (33/1)

Aidan O'Brien has won five of the last 10 renewals and he's highly likely to add to that fine record with Broome the clear pick of his trio. The leading Derby hope can continue his build up to the Classics following a seemingly effortless and dominant win in the Ballysax. Stablemate Sovereign got involved in setting a strong pace there, that didn't help Guaranteed, and along with likely pacemaker Blenheim Palace, they should ensure a strong pace again for their stablemate. Pythion remains lightly-raced and could place again . Buckhurst won on debut and will appreciate the extra trip while Rakan, for another stable with a good record here, may be the one to chase the favourite home.