Irish Derby Favourite - Sir Percy

Sir Percy, who claimed victory in what was one of the most thrilling finishes to an Epsom Derby in the history of the great race, has been installed as 9/4 favourite to become the seventh horse since 1988 to go onto to win the Budweiser Irish Derby at The Curragh. Marcus Tregoning's charge, who appeared to be struggling when the field made the descent to Tattenham Corner, responded to jockey Martin Dwyer's urgings in the home straight and the son of Mark Of Esteem went through a narrow gap on the rail to get up in the shadow of the post to beat Dragon Dancer by a short head. However, whether he would have won had Hala Bek, who eventually finished a close-up fourth, not lost valuable momentum when jinking right 100 yards out, is doubtful. As such, it's surprising to see that the latter has been made the 5/2 second favourite by the Barking firm. Michael Jarvis' charge, who was bidding to become just the third horse in the history of Flat racing's blue riband to win the Derby on just his second career start, had just hit top gear and was challenging when, inexplicably, he veered badly to the right, almost unshipping Philip Robinson, yet still stayed on to be beaten just half-a-length into fourth. Having watched the re-run countless times, my estimate is that the Halling colt lost at least three lengths when veering at that crucial stage, therefore it wouldn't be unfair on the eventual victory to say that Hala Bek was indeed the moral winner. Next best at 7/1 with Coral is French Derby hero Darsi, who will be bidding to follow in the hoofprints of the likes of Montjeu, Dream Well and Old Vic by winning the Prix du Jockey-Club at Chantilly en route to claiming this prestigious prize. Under Christophe Soumillon, Darsi was always well positioned and was always in command throughout the final furlong, holding the late surge of Best Name to score by three parts of a length. The son of Danehill shaped as though the extra furlong and a half of the Irish Derby would suit, but in terms of form he would appear to have a great deal to find with the likes of Sir Percy and Hala Bek. The runner-up at Chantilly is also entered for The Curragh Classic, for which is 8/1, along with Vodafone Derby second and third, Dragon Dancer and Dylan Thomas. Ahead of that trio on 7/1 is the Sit Michael Stoute-trained Papal Bull, who was making good progress three furlongs out at Epsom, but was badly hampered and could never land a blow thereafter. The Montjeu colt seemed ill at ease on that idiosyncratic track and, perhaps even more significantly, got worked up in the preliminaries, getting himself into a real lather of sweat. The occasion is less daunting at The Curragh and the track is more conventional so he would have to merit the utmost respect.