Oaks and Derby thread! 5/6 th of June

Still dont see why Sea the stars is half the price of Rip Van Winkle for the Derby!

As I've said previous - bet an O'Brian 'winner' = won't be disappointed if you chose the 'wrong one' LOL!

Well Jim, he is certainly trying.

Six runners likely to line up for O'Brien in Derby


AIDAN O'BRIEN expects to have six runners in the Investec Derby on June 6 with Freemantle, Malibu Bay and Johann Zoffany, the likely defectors from the nine Ballydoyle colts still left in the Epsom Classic.



Speaking on Saturday morning, O'Brien said: "It is looking like we will have six going to the Derby. Malibu Bay is likely to go for the Prix du Jockey Club next Sunday instead.



"Freemantle is more likely to wait for Royal Ascot although we haven't completely ruled him out of Epsom just yet while Johann Zoffany, who won a handicap at Leopardstown on Thursday, is unlikely to run."

Johnny Murtagh, Seamie Heffernan and Colm O'Donoghue will be joined by Ryan Moore, Pat Smullen and Richard Hughes aboard the Ballydoyle horses.

O'Brien added: "Fame And Glory, Rip Van Winkle, Age Of Aquarius, BlackBear Island, Masterofthehorse and Golden Sword are all heading for Epsom, if we continue to be happy with them during the week. We won't be firming up riding plans for them until the middle of the week."

13 left in the derby,o`brien has 6 of the field.,

South african owned Southeaster in lineup.. Derby card

Favourite Sariska shines during final Oaks gallop


OAKS favourite Sariska completed her preparation for Friday's Investec-sponsored Classic by pleasing connections in her final spin on the watered gallop in Newmarket.


The Michael Bell-trained daughter of Pivotal was partnered by Jamie Spencer on Tuesday morning and, after being given a lead by Hayley Turner on a companion, just movedup smoothly to finish about a length up hard on the bridle.


Spencer said: "It's in the lap of the gods now but she is fine and we just want some safe decent ground at Epsom."

That view was reiterated by Hugo Lascelles, adviser to owner Lady Bamford, who said: "She is happy and healthy and moving well. No questions were asked, we are all set for Friday and we just want good safe ground."

The two-time winner is the general 5-2 favourite for Friday's race following her Musidora Stakes victory at York last month

at the races are reporting that johnny murtagh is riding Rip Van Winkle

Aiden O'Briens jocky bookings for Derby

Fame and Glory Heffernan
Rip van Winkle Murtagh
Blackbear Island Moore
Masterofthehorse Hughes
Age of Aquarius Smullen
Golden Sword O'Donoghue

A superb pic of crowded house, he is the one on the left.

Crowded House confirmed for Derby


CROWDED HOUSE is back on schedule for Saturday's Investec Derby after coming out of his latest work session at Manton in good order, trainer Brian Meehan said on Wednesday.

The Group 1 Racing Post Trophy winner was winter favourite for Epsom, but disappointed on his comeback in the Totesport.com Dante Stakes at York.


He returned an unsatisfactory scope immediately after the trial, and his participation at Epsom had been in doubt.



However, Meehan told racingpost.com on Wednesday: "We've carefully monitored Crowded House since York. He pleased in a work session on Monday, and he has taken that very well. He will breeze on Thursday.

"The plan is to run in the Derby, provided the forecast rain for Friday is not too heavy. In the unlikely event of the ground becoming soft at Epsom we may switch to Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club.

Rip cut for Derby but Sea The Stars to be favourite


RIP VAN WINKLE continues to shorten in the Investec Derby market, but one leading bookmaker is confident that Stanjames.com 2,000 Guineas hero Sea The Stars will be sent off favourite for the world's most famous Flat race.


Johnny Murtagh's decision to plump for Guineas fourth Rip Van Winkle over Ballydoyle's five other Derby runners sparked a Derby gamble on Tuesday, and the gamble's momentum was maintained on Wednesday when the stable jockey's chosen mount was cut to 7-2 from 5-1 by Victor Chandler, and to 4-1 from 9-2 by Paddy Power and Skybet.



However, not all firms have been bombarded with bets for Rip Van Winkle and Coral are confident he will not usurp Sea The Stars at the head of the Derby betting.

Coral spokesman David Stevens said: "We thought the news that Johnny Murtagh is likely to be on board Rip Van Winkle would cause a rush of money for the Guineas fourth, but it's yet to happen, and we favour Sea The Stars to startfavourite in his bid to win a second Classic."

Seeking to win a second successive Derby is Jim Bolger, whose candidate Gan Amhras worked on Wednesday, pleasing his trainer, who said: "He did his final bit and just had a good blowout. He's fit and well and I'm happy with him."


Also happy with his lot is Fame And Glory's rider Seamie Heffernan, who gets on the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner following Murtagh's decision to ride Rip Van Winkle.

Heffernan told At The Races: "I was impressed with him at Leopardstown - he quickened up and won well, and I'm really looking forward to riding him.

"The Guineas is normally the best trial, but they do have to get the trip, it's a big day and the horses have to take in a lot of things. There is no doubt about Fame And Glory's temperament, though - that is 100 per cent."

Equally content is Richard Hughes, booked by O'Brien to ride Chester Vase runner-up Masterofthehorse.

He told At The Races: "It's not 100 per cent definite yet, but if it is that one, I'd be very pleased.

"I think Chester was more of a learning curve, Ithink the aim was to get him settled, that's the way I read the race.

"He flew home and he finished real strong and it was a good education before Epsom

Henry Cecil is confident Midday is in peak form ahead of her bid for Classic glory in the Investec Oaks at Epsom on Friday.

The daughter of Oasis Dream chased home Derby-bound colt Debussy on the Downs back in April before turning in a hugely impressive performance in the Lingfield Oaks Trial last month.

The trainer admits his filly has something to find on ratings with Musidora Stakes winner and likely favourite Sariska, but Cecil, chasing a remarkable ninth Oaks victory, is hopeful she can bridge the gap.

"At this stage I am very happy with Midday and she seems on song for Epsom," the Warren Place handler told his website, www.henrycecil.com .

"It is a difficult race to assess but I feel she has improved and must have a chance.

"On the Timeform figures she is rated 108 and Sariska is 116 so she is going to have to improve to prove them wrong."

GreatOdds has loads of specials priced up for Saturday's Derby

Who'll win the Ballydoyle Derby?
Who will go off favourite?
Best Aidan O'Brien-trained horse?
Can Aidan O'Brien do a 1-2-3?

Click here for all the Specials.
www.greatodds.com/Horse-Racing;2009-Epso...,2?&setOddsFormat=UK

Great stuff again guys.