Bookies in no doubt about Irish Derby
Sea The Stars became the first horse for 20 years to complete the 2000 Guineas/Investec Derby double when recording a length and three-quarters verdict over the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt.
And the Cork bookmakers are convinced the supremacy shown by John Oxx’s charge is likely to be repeated.
In match betting on the Irish Derby, Sea The Stars is a 4-6 chance to confirm placings with Fame And Glory, who is quoted at 11-10.
“They could run the Epsom Derby 100 times and you’d get the same result each and every time no matter what way the race panned out,” said Cashmans’ spokesman Joe Burke.
“Looking forward to the Irish Derby, Sea The Stars has everything and he’d be favourite in a match bet with any three-year-old on the planet at the moment from seven furlongs to one and a half miles.”
O’Brien horses also occupied third (Masterofthehorse), fourth (Rip Van Winkle) and fifth (Golden Sword) slots at Epsom. The Ballydoyle trainer told At The Races: “We were obviously very disappointed we didn’t win it but we were very happy because all our horses ran well.
“Mick (Kinane) gave the winner a great ride on the day.
“Everybody has an opinion but the reality is we won’t really know what could have happened if circumstances were different.
“All we can hope for is that the horses are healthy in three weeks’ time (Irish Derby) and see if anybody has doubts or concerns after this race.
“All those that ran at Epsom and Chantilly are in the mix for the Curragh, the Eclipse and the new French Derby (Grand Prix de Paris) at Longchamp.
“Rip is one of those very special workers at home with a high cruising speed, when he gets into fifth gear his body slows down and he finds it easy.
“Sometimes in races that have a muddling pace he never gets into fifth gear.”
