Light connections happy with Curragh ground

Vodafone Derby winner North Light goes into Sunday’s Irish Derby with connections expressing themselves pleased by the state of the ground at the Curragh.

The Michael Stoute-trained colt is due to fly into Ireland tomorrow as he bids to complete a Derby double in the Budweiser-sponsored version.

Irish layers Paddy Power have North Light as their 4-5 favourite, while Coral make him evens after his one-and-a-half-length success at Epsom earlier this month.

He will meet the Epsom second Rule Of Law, third Let The Lion Roar and fourth Percussionist again at the track.

Peter Reynolds, racing manager to the Danehill colt’s owners the Weinstock family, has walked the Curragh track.

North Light has not encountered fast ground yet this season, and with rain forecast overnight and into tomorrow connections are confident conditions will be ideal for the favourite.

Reynolds said: “It was fine, lovely ground – and I was very happy with it.

“The colt won on soft ground at York. But that doesn’t mean he necessarily needs easy conditions, and if it got very soft on Sunday that might not be a good thing because he’s such a good-actioned horse.

“He will be flying into Ireland tomorrow.”

Ben Sangster, son of late owner Robert, reports the John Gosden-trained Percussionist to be in top form as he tries to reverse the Epsom form.

“He travelled to Ireland today and he took it well and I believe he’s in good form. John Gosden told me he was very pleased with his final gallop in the week and all seems to be well,” said Sangster.

Percussionist was two lengths behind North Light at Epsom, just losing out on second and third place in the dying strides after failing to handle the undulations.

Sangster believes the return to a more conventional course could help him get a bit closer to North Light this time.

“We would not be confident of reversing form with North Light. You can never be frightened of one horse, although North Light is obviously a very good horse,” he said.

“Percussionist didn’t really handle Epsom, though, and we hope the Curragh will suit him better. Whether that will be good enough is another question.”

Budweiser Irish Derby betting:

William Hill: 4-5 North Light, 5-1 Let The Lion Roar, 6-1 Rule Of Law, 7-1 Percussionist, 9-1 Grey Swallow, 10-1 Day Flight, 20-1 Five Dynasties, 25-1 Moscow Ballet, 33-1 Book Of Kings, Cobra, 50-1 Tycoon.

Coral: evens North Light, 11-2 Let The Lion Roar, Rule Of Law, 8-1 Percussionist, Grey Swallow, 10-1 Day Flight, 18-1 Five Dynasties, 33-1 Moscow Ballet, 40-1 Book Of Kings, 66-1 Tycoon, Cobra.

Ladbrokes: 4-5 North Light, 6-1 Let The Lion Roar, 7-1 Percussionist, Rule Of Law, 8-1 Grey Swallow, 12-1 Day Flight, 20-1 Five Dynasties, 33-1 Cobra, 40-1 Moscow Ballet, 66-1 Book Of Kings, 100-1 Tycoon.