Doubts over Alamshar for Irish Derby
Alamshar is only “50-50” to run in Sunday’s Budweiser Irish Derby, trainer John Oxx revealed today.
The Key Of Luck colt, who was third behind Kris Kin in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom, has a slight back injury that may force him to bypass the mile-and-a-half Classic.
There has also been substantial rain in the Curragh area over the last 24 hours, which would go against the Aga Khan-owned colt, who prefers the ground on the faster side.
“He came out of Epsom very well and he’s in good form, good health and good condition,” Oxx said today.
“We have a couple of questions marks over him now, though, as the rain we have had today was more then we expected and, depending on how much more we get, the question of the ground could be up in the air.
“He’s got a little back injury which he’s having intensive physio on, but he hasn’t missed any work, so there’s a question there to be resolved.”
Oxx is planning to leave a decision on the colt’s participation in the race until Sunday morning.
“If he were to run his back would have to be right. We could take a chance on the ground, but we can’t if his back is not right,” he added.
“He’s just got a little bit of a pulled muscle. He would be 50-50 at the moment.”
Alamshar was sent off the 4-1 second favourite at Epsom after winning the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes, beating The Great Gatsby by a head.
The Great Gatsby then finished a short head in front of Alamshar at Epsom.
Oxx thinks the possible softer ground might help the Aidan O’Brien horse at the Curragh.
He said: “We have had a couple of close encounters with him and he will possibly like the ground more if it comes on the softer side.”
The Aga Khan’s French Derby winner Dalakhani, who is trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, is the 1-2 favourite for the race with Paddy Power, and Oxx believes he is a worthy favourite.
“He looks the likely one that we have to beat. He looks like he may be the best horse of the year.
“He’s got to travel here but the ground would not seem to be a worry to him,” he said.
Oxx expects Alamshar’s next target will probably be the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot next month, regardless of whether he misses this weekend’s race or not.
“He’s in the King George and he is more of a summer horse and he likes the summer ground,” Oxx added.
“If he was to run on Sunday and run well he might go there, but if he was to miss the race but be in good form he would have the King George as his next intended race.”
Oxx also runs Alisar, another Aga Khan horse, in the Derby. His best form came last time when he won a Fairyhouse median auction and he seems likely to act as a pacemaker if required.
“We left our fellow in as a precaution as Aidan O’Brien has six runners and we don’t know what their plan is. One of their horses may make the running but we don’t know,” Oxx added.
