Ridge takes over Derby favouritism
Long-time Vodafone Derby favourite Yeats has been displaced at the head of the market for the premier Classic.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained colt has yet to meet with a reverse in three racecourse outings and landed the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on his latest start.
That race has been the most significant pointer to Epsom success in recent seasons.
But rumours that all is not well with Yeats refuse to go away, although O’Brien maintains that the colt is on course despite receiving physiotherapy after “tweaking a muscle”.
Snow Ridge is now favourite with all the major firms to give Frankie Dettori a first success in the race he wants to win above all others.
“This is the first time that Yeats has not headed our Derby market since we introduced the Sadler’s Wells colt at 12-1 following his winning debut last September,” said Balthazar Fabricius of Ladbrokes.
“Even though physio hardly hindered Alamshar from winning the Irish Derby and King George VI, or Beef Or Salmon from winning the Punchestown Gold Cup, punters seem concerned enough to be deserting Yeats for the first time in the nine months that we’ve been betting on the Derby.”
Coral have gone even further and now have both Snow Ridge and North Light in front of Yeats in their betting.
“Punters clearly believe all is not well with Yeats and have deserted the Irish colt in favour of a first Derby win for Frankie or last year’s winning jockey Kieren Fallon,” said spokesman David Stevens.
“Although Yeats has been at the head of the Derby betting since the autumn, it seems likely that either Snow Ridge or North Light will now start favourite on Saturday.”
Ladbrokes also report a sizeable chunk of money for Salford City, laying the David Elsworth-trained colt to lose over £100,000 (€150,163) in an hour with bets of £8,000 (€12,015) and £2,000 (€3,003) at 11-1 to name just two.
Vodafone Derby betting:
Ladbrokes: 5-2 (from 11-4) Snow Ridge, 11-4 (from 5-2) Yeats, 7-2 North Light, 9-1 (from 11-1) Salford City, 10-1 American Post, 12-1 Rule Of Law, Percussionist, 16-1 Let The Lion Roar, 25-1 Gatwick, 33-1 Hazyview, 40-1 Pukka, Elshadi, 100-1 Coming Again, Moscow Ballet, 150-1 Massif Centrale.
Coral: 5-2 (from 3-1) Snow Ridge, 3-1 North Light, 7-2 (from 5-2) Yeats, 8-1 Salford City, American Post, 10-1 Percussionist, 12-1 Rule Of Law, 14-1 Let The Lion Roar, 33-1 Meath, Elshadi, Gatwick, 40-1 Hazyview, 50-1 Pukka, 66-1 Moscow Ballet, 100-1 Massif Centrale, Coming Again.
Meanwhile, Luca Cumani added his weight to the theory that this year’s Vodafone Derby is one of the most open for years when stating the case for his 50-1 outsider Pukka today.
When the son of Sadler’s Wells landed a handicap at Newbury last month, talk of a tilt at the Derby was met by Cumani with a shrug of the shoulders and a wistful smile, suggesting a run at such an elevated level would be out of the reach of his colt.
However, Pukka has made substantial improvement in the interim, according to the Bedford House handler.
He said: “I am running him because he has been pleasing me and has come on a lot for his win. Not only is he working well, but he’s doing well both physically and mentally and this is his only chance to run in the Derby.”
Cumani has trained other members of Pukka’s family who have excelled over middle distances and he added: “He certainly has the ability to stay and the right temperament but whether he’s good enough we’ll find out on Saturday.”
