Monterosso added to Irish Derby lineup

Royal Ascot hero Monterosso has been supplemented for Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Mark Johnston’s Dubawi colt ran out a hugely impressive winner of the King Edward VII Stakes and connections have decided to stump up €150,000 and turn him out again little over a week later.

Aidan O’Brien has a strong hand as he bids to win the race for an eighth time - and a fifth time in succession.

The Ballydoyle camp could be represented by Jan Vermeer, the beaten favourite in the Derby at Epsom, as well as At First Sight, Bright Horizon, Cape Blanco and Midas Touch.

There are three entries from Britain in Godolphin’s Chabal, the Michael Bell-trained Coordinated Cut and David Simcock’s Dubawi Phantom.

Jim Bolger’s duo of Carraiglawn and Puncher Clynch complete the 11 contenders.

Bell reports Coordinated Cut on course for a crack at the Classic after he took seventh place at Epsom.

“He is running in the Irish Derby this weekend and is in good form at present,” said Bell.

“The track at the Curragh will suit him much better than Epsom, so hopefully we will be able to get a true handle on what real level of ability he has.

“Whether we can find the improvement and turn the tables on the likes of Jan Vermeer (fourth at Epsom) remains to be seen.

“I wouldn’t like to predict that. I’ll let the horse do the talking on the day and see what happens.”

Should Coordinated Cut impress in Ireland, the Newmarket handler would consider an assault at the Ladbrokes St Leger.

Bell added: “He won at Doncaster as a two-year-old, so the question regarding the Ladbrokes St Leger is whether he will truly stay a mile and six furlongs.

“On pedigree, that is open to debate, so it will be interesting to see how well he stays on at the Curragh.

“How well he gets a stiff mile and a half there will be a key as to whether the Ladbrokes St Leger is the race we target.”