Ireland beckons for Bek

Unlucky English Derby fourth Hala Bek is likely to be supplemented for the Irish Derby on July 2.

Michael Jarvis was left to reflect on what could have been in the premier Classic at Epsom after the son of Halling inexplicably jinked right as he mounted his challenge deep inside the final furlong.

Hala Bek, who defeated English Derby runner-up Dragon Dancer at Newbury in April on his only other racecourse start, finished just half a length in arrears of winner Sir Percy and could now go for the Budweiser-sponsored Irish Derby at the Curragh next month.

“He’s fine and has eaten everything. His leg is A1 and he has trotted up well,” reported Jarvis. “He looks a bit tired but apart from that he’s fine.

“It has happened and that’s the only way we can view it. Nothing’s going to change it.

“It’s just one of those unfortunate things. We don’t know why the horse jinked. I suppose it would have to go down to inexperience.

“We were still delighted though and we’ve got a good horse, haven’t we?

“I would presume, and we’ve only briefly discussed this, that with the agreement of the owner (Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum), he would be supplemented for the Irish Derby.

“He genuinely stays a mile and a half and did well on that ground.”

Jockey Philip Robinson was philosophical in defeat but also foresees a bright future for Hala Bek.

“I’m still scratching my head because at one point I thought I had it won,” he told At The Races.

“It’s a bit depressing but we’ve got to go on and look forward to the next race.

“Take nothing away from Sir Percy. He’s made up more ground than I had and finished better than me.

“But he (Hala Bek) is an extremely good horse and I think he’d maybe go for the Irish Derby after speaking to connections.”