Irish Derby S1 - 6, 30/06/2024, Sunday Post Time 23:05
1 |
Ambiente Friendly |
Supplemented into this, having built on a terrific victory at Lingfield when second in the Derby Stakes where he travelled strongly in the straight and briefly looked like winning. A major contender, surely. |
2 |
Euphoric |
Led and kept galloping when passed by Los Angeles in a G3 at Leopardstown in May. Led the field in the Derby at Epsom but, headed 600m out, he then faded to finish ninth. The likely pacemaker. |
3 |
Grosvenor Square |
Progressive last year, pulverising his rivals from the front in an 1800m heavy-ground G3 at Leopardstown. Likely to be sharper for his third at Chester in May, but will need to be in this Classic company. |
4 |
Keeper's Heart |
Not beaten far in G3 and Listed company at Leopardstown this year, though on the latter occasion looked as though he may do better at a shorter trip than this. An outsider. |
5 |
Los Angeles |
Winner of his first three starts including a G1 and G3, then moving up to this trip for the Derby at Epsom. He got worked up beforehand but his third was still a strong effort, and this track should suit him better. A clear chance. |
6 |
Matsuri |
Although the race he won this year was only in a 2000m novice event at Leicester, this very expensive purchase was extremely impressive and has long been thought of as a potential group race colt. Unexposed but interesting. |
7 |
Sunway |
Closed down 2023 with a G1 victory over 1600m at Saint-Cloud. Although running decently in three high-class events this year is not an obvious winner of this, and also with stamina doubts. |
8 |
The Euphrates |
Has only won a maiden so far. Most recently he was fifth in a G2 over this trip at Royal Ascot not being able to deliver a finishing kick. Likely to struggle here. |