Nap Hand Of Chances For Coolmore Derby Success

John Magnier, Michael Tabor, and Derrick Smith, the three partners in the stunning success of both the Coolmore breeding empire and the Ballydoyle winner machine that regularly farms major international racing prizes, are set to have a remarkable five horses representing them in Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epsom, writes Elliot Slater.

The shortest priced of the five is the only horse not trained by Aidan O’Brien, Pour Moi, who is handled in France by 22-times champion trainer Andre Fabre. Pour Moi, a son of Coolmore sire Montjeu, was an impressive winner of the Group 2 Prix Greffulhe at Saint Cloud last time out, beating odds-on Vadamar who also runs in Saturday’s race, and has been the subject of heavy market support in the two weeks leading up to the Derby that have forced his odds down from as big as 16/1 to 7/2 second favourite in the Epsom Derby betting.

The four Ballydoyle horses have rather mixed chances on the book, with both Recital and Seville having strong claims to reaching the winners’ enclosure on Saturday afternoon, whereas both Memphis Tennessee and Treasure Beach look to have something to find on form and may run as pacemakers for their more illustrious stable companions. Seville, runner-up in last season’ Racing Post Trophy before filling the same spot behind current ante-post derby favourite Carlton House in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York last month, is an obvious contender who looks sure to be suited by the extra two furlongs of the Derby.

Recital, is a quirky but talented individual who won the Group 2 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on his most recent outing, but he did appear to hang quite markedly under pressure and even with the tremendously strong Kieren Fallon on board his suitability for the uneven Epsom track has to be a big question mark, although he figures at just 5/1 in the market for the big race.