Denis may prove a menace to favourites in Run for the Roses

IT has been a circuitous journey to get to Churchill Downs but the connections of Kentucky Derby hope Denis of Cork are confident their bay colt can take the shortest route possible in tonight’s 134th Run for the Roses.

Named by owners William and Suzanne Warren in honour of their friend Fr. Denis Casey, a native of Co. Cork, and trained by Irishman David Carroll, there are more than enough Irish links to this Florida-bred three-year-old, a 20-1 shot, to make this American classic an interesting one from the other side of the Atlantic.

Even more given that 4-1 second favourite Colonel John will be saddled by another Irish trainer in exile, the California-based Eoin Harty, who is the brother of Curragh handler Edward Harty, a Cheltenham winner this year with Captain Cee Bee in the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle.