18+ | Commercial Content | T&Cs apply | Wagering and T&Cs apply | Play Responsibly | Advertising Disclosure

Late Decision On Moore's Derby Choice

Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien at the Curragh on SundayRyan Moore and Aidan O'Brien at the Curragh on Sunday
© Photo Healy Racing

Aidan O'Brien expects jockey Ryan Moore to leave it late before deciding on his ride in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

The Ballydoyle handler has saddled five previous winners of the premier Classic and has seven horses in contention for this year renewal.

The shortest priced of the septet is Dee Stakes winner Cliffs Of Moher, who is disputing favouritism with some bookmakers.

O'Brien can also call upon Chester Vase one-two-three Venice Beach, Wings Of Eagles and the Anvil, as well as the first and third from the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, Douglas Macarthur and Capri.

Completing the trainer's team is outsider Finn McCool.

O'Brien said: "We've seven left in and they all seem to be well at the moment.

"The three from the Chester Vase are very strong possibles and the horse that won the Dee Stakes and the two from Leopardstown.

"Ryan doesn't have to make up his mind until Thursday morning. We'll go through all the horses and everything will be discussed. I wouldn't say anything is written in stone yet.

"The two horses from Leopardstown, Douglas Macarthur and Capri, ran a very good race in the Derrinstown and that's a very good trial.

"The three horses that ran in the Chester Vase all ran great races, we thought, and we were very happy with the horse in the Dee Stakes."

With O'Brien's seven amongst 20 possible runners, tactics could prove key, but O'Brien plans to leave riding plans to his jockeys.

"The lads will sort that out themselves," he said.

"Epsom is a tough track, there's a lot of twists and turns and ups and downs and it is the Derby."

About Vincent Finegan
Vincent, who lives on the Curragh in Co. Kildare, is the editor of irishracing.com and has almost 40 years experience in the horse racing industry. He writes a weekly blog on this website covering all aspects of the sport and presents our Irish Angle video show on Mondays. He is a dual winner of The Irish Field naps table.