Irish Derby Betting: A mouth-watering race in store as the Epsom rivals go head to head once again...

005 Irish Racing / Wayne Bailey / 24 June 2008 / Leave a Comment

Wayne Bailey rates the leading contenders for Sunday's Irish Derby at the Curragh

Richard Dunwoody once wrote a book entitled 'Obsessed', and I'm starting to know the feeling.

Perhaps it's a passion, perhaps it's a problem - but I can't seem to get racing out of my head, and look forward to the next big classic with the anticipation and nervousness of a teenager going on his first date.

To give an example of this obsession... I was in a bar late the other night, and the DJ started blasting out the Daft Punk song 'One More Time'. I'd just been thinking about the Irish Derby, and I immediately thought to myself: "Hey, if I was the guy in charge of music on ATR, I'd use that song in the pre-race build up".

It was one of those moments where you realise you are a geek, and remind yourself not to say your thoughts out loud.

Nonetheless, for Sunday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby contenders, it really is a case of 'one more time' as the top six in the betting all ran in the British equivalent. If the betting is anything to go by, the top three home at Epsom will do the same again on Sunday at the Curragh, but racing is never quite as simple as that...

New Approach
I was vindicated when opposing him in both his Guineas runs, but was caught out badly when taking him on for the Derby. Is it too late to jump ship and side with him now? From a value point of view, probably. He's currently trading at [1.94], and it seems a bit short considering the threat that Tartan Bearer is likely to pose. I'll probably put an order in later this week for the [2.04] mark, which is rather optimistic - however, that's the price I believe he should be, so I'm not going any lower. One thing is for sure though - I won't be laying him this time.

Tartan Bearer
He started off slow at Epsom, but when Ryan Moore let him go on the outside, he made great progress and put up a real fight. I'd prefer to see him take up the challenge a little earlier this time, as I think he's no problem with this distance - and could probably go a little further if required. If the money keeps coming for New Approach, Tartan Bearer may end up as the bet of the day in the place markets.

Casual Conquest
I was very keen on this horse after his Derrinstown performance, and still believe he can be one of Dermot Weld's stable stars. He met his match at Epsom however, and simply couldn't keep up with the pace at the business end of the race. Is there anything to suggest that he'll reverse the form? Probably not today - but he's still one for the notebook.

Alessandro Volta
I'd give a good guess that Johnny Murtagh will take the reins this time, and considering what he and Aidan O'Brien achieved at Royal Ascot; anything they send out must be respected. He messed up early on at Epsom, and needs to put in the performance of a lifetime if he wants to seriously take on the big boys here.

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