Bolger planning double Derby bid

Jim Bolger could be double-handed with Puncher Clynch and Carraiglawn in Sunday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh.

Both are around 16-1 chances as the Coolcullen trainer seeks his second success in the colts’ Classic after triumphing with St Jovite in 1992.

Puncher Clynch has not raced since beating Investec Derby runner-up At First Sight and Queen’s Vase scorer Mikhail Glinka in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown in April.

Carraiglawn is on the upgrade, having won his last two starts at Navan and the Curragh.

“It’s likely I will run the two of them and likely Kevin Manning will ride Puncher Clynch and David Moran will ride Carraiglawn,” he told At The Races.

“It was a good run from Puncher Clynch in the Ballysax. He’s a very competitive horse and he doesn’t give up easily so I’m sure he will give a good account of himself.

“Carraiglawn will appreciate the step up to a mile and a half but it could also be when he is a four-year-old before we see the best from him. I think that’s a pattern with Rock of Gibraltar’s offspring. They are later maturers than he was himself.

“It’s fairly likely I will run both.”