Form points to success for O’Brien

THE absence of St Nicholas Abbey takes some of the intrigue from today’s Investec Epsom Derby but, for all that the Ballydoyle team will miss the horse they believed ‘could walk on water’, the stable dominated the major trials and appears to hold all the aces today.

Even prior to St Nicholas Abbe’s defection, Jan Vermeer had seized favouritism from his stable-companion.

Part of the reason for that surge of money came from a very easy victory in the Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh where he made light of a seven-pound penalty.