Australia leads Derby big guns
A son of 2001 Derby hero Galileo out of 2004 Oaks heroine Ouijia Board, Australia is the red-hot favourite to follow in the hoofprints of his parents following his excellent effort to finish third in the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Trainer Aidan O’Brien, who has made no secret of the regard in which he holds the exciting three-year-old, has saddled four previous Derby winners in Galileo, High Chaparral (2002), Camelot (2012) and last year’s victor Ruler Of The World.
The master of Ballydoyle is also set to run Geoffrey Chaucer, an unlucky third in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, Chester Vase winner Orchestra and Dee Stakes scorer Kingfisher.
John Gosden has decided to supplement Romsdal, beaten just a nose by Orchestra at Chester, following a workmanlike racecourse gallop at Newmarket last week.
Gosden already has a leading contender in the unbeaten Sandown Classic Trial winner Western Hymn.
The O’Brien quartet form part of a formidable Irish challenge, with Dermot Weld’s Fascinating Rock and the John Oxx-trained Ebanoran in line for a rematch after finishing first and second in the Derrinstown.
Ebanoran passed the post first, but was relegated to second by the stewards following interference in the closing stages.
Roger Varian’s Racing Post Trophy hero Kingston Hill impressed work-watchers when traversing the Epsom turf in a gallop last week and is another major player, as is Sir Michael Stoute’s Snow Sky, winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial.
Godolphin have three contenders in Pinzolo, Sudden Wonder and True Story.Arod is an intriguing runner for dual Derby-winning trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam, having pushed Sunday’s French Derby winner The Grey Gatsby close in the Dante Stakes at York.
Andrew Balding’s Impulsive Moment, the William Haggas-trained Our Channel and Red Galileo from Ed Dunlop’s yard complete the entries.
