Dante adds to O'Brien's Derby domination

Aidan O’Brien is odds-on with William Hill and Ladbrokes to register a third success in the Investec Derby after Black Bear Island led home stablemate Freemantle for a one-two in the totesport.com Dante Stakes at York.

The firms quote the Irish maestro at 1-3 and 4-5 respectively to add to High Chaparral and Galileo’s successes in the Epsom Classic, which has eluded Ballydoyle since the former scored in 2002.

With Irish horses also occupying between the first five and first six places in the Derby market, County Cork layers Cashmans make Ireland 1-8 to register victory at Epsom on the first Saturday in June.

Three of the last five Dante winners have progressed to Derby glory, and Black Bear Island (12-1) threw his name into the reckoning with a last-to-first victory under Colm O’Donoghue.

Johnny Murtagh, celebrating his 39th birthday, bustled Freemantle into an early lead and started to wind up the pace passing the two-furlong marker.

For a long while he appeared to have the field at full stretch, only for High Chaparral’s full-brother to stage a late rally and nail his stablemate by a head, with the pair three-quarters of a length clear of Sans Frontieres.

Coral slashed Black Bear Island to 6-1 for the Derby, while 10-1 is available with totesport, Ladbrokes and Victor Chandler, who also quote the runner-up at 12s.

O’Donoghue, who struck in another Derby trial aboard Golden Sword at Chester last week, said: “There was plenty of pace on through the race and he travelled really well.

“He really started to get going when I asked him in the final two furlongs and he picked up really well to lead on the line.

“Aidan told me to get him to switch off and relax and to let him enjoy himself through the race.

“What happens next will be up to Aidan, Mr Tabor, Mr Smith and Mr Magnier but I am just happy to have been riding him on the day.

“Going to Epsom you need a horse who can travel at speed and has stamina, and he has it all.”

Murtagh said of Freemantle: “He’s run a great race, he just got tired in the last 100 yards, the ground was perfect for him.”

Freemantle is widely available at double-figure prices, while his stablemate and dual Derby trial winner Fame And Glory hardened at the head market, with Ladbrokes quoting him at 9-4 along with 2000 Guineas winner Sea The Stars.

There was a slight sting in the tail for the winning jockey as he was hit with a two-day ban (May 27 and 28) for using his whip with excessive frequency and not giving his mount time to respond.