16:05 Curragh

Sunday 30 June 2024

All13:1013:4014:1514:5015:2516:0516:4017:1517:50

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1)

Off time: 16:05 | Winning time: 2m 28.15s

(6)

Ambiente Friendly²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 118| D

6/4

Gleneagles colt who burst on to the scene with an emphatic 4½ length success in the Lingfield Derby Trial (11.5f, good to firm). Excellent second in Derby itself at Epsom 4 weeks ago and obvious claims of going one better.

Form: 13-412

(7)

Euphoric²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Declan McDonogh| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 103

33/1

Won sole start at 2 and better form in defeat this year, going down by a length to stablemate Los Angeles in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown. However, used as a pacemaker when ninth in Derby at Epsom and may take up similar duties again.

Form: 1-329

(1)

Grosvenor Square⁵³

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Wayne Lordan| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 106| BF

25/1

Winner of 2 of his 3 starts as a 2-y-o, signing campaign off with success in the Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown. Shaped as if better for the run after 7 months off when 10½ lengths third to the ill-fated Hidden Law in Chester Vase (12.3f, good) and remains open to improvement.

Form: 131-3

(5)

Keeper's Heart²⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Colin Keane| T: G M Lyons| OR: 102

100/1

Useful colt who improved when1½ lengths fourth of 5 to Los Angeles in Derby Trial Stakes (18/1) at Leopardstown (10f, good to firm) on return. However, failed to build on that in listed event there since and this is a huge ask.

Form: 21-43

(3)

Los Angeles²⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 113

13/8

Followed debut success by winning the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1¼m, soft) in October. Proved a length too strong for Euphoric in Derby Trial at Leopardstown on return before very good third (3¼ lengths behind Ambiente Friendly) in Derby at Epsom. Can do better again and big shout.

Form: 11-13

(2)

Matsuri^h³⁴

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: James Doyle| T: R Varian| OR: 102

13/2

Confirmed debut promise to win 13-runner novice at Kempton (8f) in November and improved another chunk when easily defying a penalty in novice at Leicester on return. This is a massive step up but he's potentially very smart.

Form: 21-1

(8)

Sunway^t²⁸

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Oisin Murphy| T: D Menuisier| OR: 110

16/1

Winner of the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on his final 2-y-o start but winless from 3 starts this season, running to form but only seventh in Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly 4 weeks ago. Step up in trip should at least suit.

Form: 621-527

(4)

The Euphrates^v⁹

Age: 3| Weight: 9-2| J: Dylan Browne McMonagle| T: A P O'Brien| OR: 104

22/1

Confirmed debut promise with victory in 10-runner maiden at Gowran (8.3f) in October and improved another chunk when second in Group 3 at Leopardstown on return. However, limitations rather exposed in Lingfield Derby Trial/King Edward Stakes since.

Form: 31-245

Forecasts

Ambiente Friendly (6/4), Los Angeles (13/8), Matsuri (13/2), Sunway (16/1), The Euphrates (22/1), Grosvenor Square (25/1), Euphoric (33/1), Keeper's Heart (100/1)

AMBIENTE FRIENDLY was beaten only by a potential superstar in the Derby at Epsom and should take all the beating. Los Angeles fared best of those ridden up with the pace when over 3 lengths behind the selection that day so it wouldn't surprise if he bridged the gap. Matsuri is taking a huge step up in class but could hardly have created a better impression at Leicester and is the potential fly in the ointment.