15:45 Curragh

Saturday 25 June 2022

All13:2514:0014:3515:0515:4516:2016:5017:25

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1)

Off time: 15:45 | Winning time: 2m 34.80s

(3)

Boundless Ocean²³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: K J Manning| T: J S Bolger| OR: 103| BF

50/1

Useful colt (second in Leopardstown listed last time) but he has only a maiden win to his name and big surprise if a second career success arrives here.

Form: 5-21032

(8)

French Claim⁴⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Lee| T: P Twomey| OR: 107

16/1

Impressive winner of Cork conditions event on reappearance and confirmed he's a pretty smart colt when 5¾ lengths third of 7 to Stone Age in Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown (1¼m, good to soft) 48 days ago. Will need to improve for the step up to 1½m to make an impact at this level, though.

Form: 14-13

(7)

Glory Daze²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Ronan Whelan| T: A Oliver| OR: 104| C

66/1

Course maiden winner on reappearance. Narrowly in front of French Claim in Derby Trial at Leopardstown last month but well held in Derby at Epsom since. Surely firmly up against it again.

Form: 630-120

(6)

Hannibal Barca³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Crosse| T: J P O'Brien| OR: 111| C

12/1

Fourth in Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster on final 2-y-o run (sold out of Brian Meehan's stable for 500,000 gns after). Winning start for new connections in Group 3 Gallinule here (1¼m) last month. Likely to stay 1½m. Could easily have more to offer after only 4 starts.

Form: 314-1

(4)

Lionel³⁶

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: J P Spencer| T: D Menuisier| OR: 102

16/1

Very progressive colt who shaped very well at Newbury on first 2 starts and found another chunk of improvement when getting up near the finish in 11f Goodwood listed 36 days ago. Should be more to come as his stamina is drawn out. Not to be underestimated.

Form: 2-31

(2)

Piz Badile²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Gavin Ryan| T: Donnacha O'Brien| OR: 109

18/1

Made the breakthrough at pattern level when a narrow winner of the Ballysax at Leopardstown (1¼m, good) on reappearance in April, displaying a very willing attitude. Didn't seem to handle the track when down the field in Derby at Epsom. Remains capable of better.

Form: 12-10

(5)

Westover²¹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: R M Beckett| OR: 116

11/8

Frankel colt who is improving fast, winning Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown on his reappearance before an excellent 2½ lengths third of 17 to Desert Crown in Derby at Epsom (would have been second but for meeting trouble). Leading claims.

Form: 122-13

(1)

Tuesday²²

Age: 3| Weight: 8-13| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 117| D

11/8

Third then second in 1000 Guineas at Newmarket and the Curragh respectively before going one better in the Oaks at Epsom, relishing the step up to 1½m. Could be more to come from her over this trip and likely to make a bold bid to provide her remarkable trainer with a 15th win in this race.

Form: 2-1321

Forecasts

Westover (11/8), Tuesday (11/8), Hannibal Barca (12/1), French Claim (16/1), Lionel (16/1), Piz Badile (18/1), Boundless Ocean (50/1), Glory Daze (66/1)

While it would be pushing it to suggest WESTOVER was unlucky not to win at Epsom he would have been a clear second but for meeting trouble over 2f out and can prevent Oaks-heroine Tuesday becoming the first filly to win this since Balanchine in 1994. Lionel looks best of the remainder.