Epsom second Ambiente Friendly bids to go one better in the Irish Derby at the Curragh on Sunday.
The Derby runner-up faces seven rivals including Los Angeles – the pick of Aidan O’Brien’s quartet – who took the bronze medal in this month’s Classic but has 3¼l to find.
The Ballydoyle battalion is completed by Derby ninth Euphoric, The Euphrates, who was 8½lb behind Ambiente Friendly in the Lingfield Derby Trial, and Chester Vase third Grosvenor Square.
Matsuri, trained by Roger Varian, faces a significant hike in class after bagging a Leicester novice last time out and the British challenge is rounded off by last season’s Criterium International winner Sunway.
Keeper’s Heart completes the line up for Sunday’s 16:05.
The latest Irish Derby odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Irish Derby 2024 verdict
Timeform: AMBIENTE FRIENDLY was beaten only by a potential superstar in the Derby at Epsom and should take all the beating. Los Angeles fared best of those ridden up with the pace when over 3 lengths behind the selection that day so it wouldn’t surprise if he bridged the gap. Matsuri is taking a huge step up in class but he could hardly have created a better impression at Ripon and is the potential fly in the ointment.
*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Irish Derby 2024 runners and riders
The following horses have been declared for the Irish Derby 2024.
Ambiente Friendly
Trainer: James Fanshawe Jockey: Robert Havlin Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Gleneagles colt who burst on to the scene with an emphatic 4½ length success in the Lingfield Derby Trial (11.5f, good to firm). Excellent second in Derby itself at Epsom 4 weeks ago and obvious claims of going one better.
*****
Euphoric
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Declan McDonogh Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Won sole start at 2 and better form in defeat this year, going down by a length to stablemate Los Angeles in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown. However, used as a pacemaker when ninth in Derby at Epsom and may take up similar duties again.
*
Grosvenor Square
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: W. M. Lordan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Winner of 2 of his 3 starts as a 2-y-o, signing campaign off with success in the Eyrefield Stakes at Leopardstown. Shaped as if better for the run after 7 months off when 10½ lengths third to the ill-fated Hidden Law in Chester Vase (12.3f, good) and remains open to improvement.
***
Keeper’s Heart
Trainer: G. M. Lyons Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
Useful colt who improved when1½ lengths fourth of 5 to Los Angeles in Derby Trial Stakes (18/1) at Leopardstown (10f, good to firm) on return. However, failed to build on that in listed event there since and this is a huge ask.
*
Los Angeles
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Followed debut success by winning the Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (1¼m, soft) in October. Proved a length too strong for Euphoric in Derby Trial at Leopardstown on return before very good third (3¼ lengths behind Ambiente Friendly) in Derby at Epsom. Can do better again and big shout.
****
Matsuri
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: James Doyle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Confirmed debut promise to win 13-runner novice at Kempton (8f) in November and improved another chunk when easily defying a penalty in novice at Leicester on return. This is a massive step up but he’s potentially very smart.
***
Sunway
Trainer: David Menuisier Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8
Winner of the Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on his final 2-y-o start but winless from 3 starts this season, running to form but only seventh in Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly 4 weeks ago. Step up in trip should at least suit.
***
The Euphrates
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: D. B. McMonagle Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Confirmed debut promise with victory in 10-runner maiden at Gowran (8.3f) in October and improved another chunk when second in Group 3 at Leopardstown on return. However, limitations rather exposed in Lingfield Derby Trial/King Edward Stakes since.
*
Read More on the Irish Derby
- Irish Derby 2024 trends and stats for Curragh 4.05 on Sunday
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