Irish Derby: Horseracing tips

Some were predicting earlier in the week that New Approach could go off as short as 1/2 for Sunday's Irish Derby at the Curragh, but the Betfair market suggests that the weekend price could be nearer evens.

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The Epsom runner-up Tartan Bearer is currently a 7/2 chance on Betfair, with New Approach at 10/11, and certainly Timeform believe that there should be far less betting daylight between the big two in the race.

Timeform spokesman Kieran Packman commented: "Tartan Bearer stepped up considerably on the level of his Dante win when chasing home New Approach at Epsom and, given he has had less racing and there is just a pound between the pair on our ratings, it strikes us as surprising that there is such a price difference.

"The Curragh should hold no terrors for Sir Michael Stoute's charge and we certainly anticipate a closer rematch than the market does at this stage. New Approach is undoubtedly a tough and top-class racehorse though and Sunday's race should prove something to savour."

There have also been other horses backed against the front two this week, with Casual Conquest the subject of a Thursday morning move into as low as 5/1 at one stage, and Johnny Murtagh's pick Alessandro Volta shortening from 25/1 to 8/1 later in the day.

And even one-time Derby favourite Curtain Call, such a disappointment at Epsom, was nibbled at to small stakes on the exchange from 50/1 to 16/1.

Betfair spokesman Tony Calvin commented: "New Approach was impressive at Epsom and is clearly the best horse going into the race, but there are a number of factors why I can see him touching evens on the day.

"He doesn't have much in hand of the progressive Tartan Bearer, he may not appreciate a stronger and more even pace at the weekend, and this will be his fourth Classic in seven weeks.

"And you also get the impression that connections of the likes of Casual Conquest, Alessandro Volta and Curtain Call are expecting an improved run from their horses on home and familiar territory, too.

"Throw all that into the mix, and I think evens could quite easily be the horse's trading level on Sunday."

To win Irish Derby – Betfair bet: 10/11 New Approach, 7/2 Tartan Bearer, 5/1 Casual Conquest, 14/1 Alessandro Volta, 18/1 Curtain Call, 26/1 Washington Irving, 41/1 Frozen Fire, 54/1 Centennial, 69/1 Hindu Kush, 119/1 Winchester, 319/1 Bashkirov, Upton Grey.

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