Irish derby

mcaul

Havn't been doing much on the horses this season - though my tip for the guineas of henrythenavigator from last August & september paid off very nicely. (even if odds on the day were far better than the 8/1 I got in antepost)

Anyway, with the gound soft at the curragh and no drying conditions expected, I am pumping for Curtain Call to beat new approach or at least go close for each way value. (went real close last year to beating new approach in similar conditions)

Personnally, I think there is a bit too much ease for New Approach whereas Curtain Call loves the mud. Another advantage is Fran Berry is back on board - its a punt, but at 16/1 well worth an each way bet.

The Stig

Each way money on Alessandro Volta, I think the pilot is Murtagh

and Tartan bearer to win

corban

alessandro volta ew 12/1 for me. new approach is too short at 4/5 for me... (boyles)

BangBeater

Casual Conquest to improve and take all the beating. E/W.

Colonel Sanders

New Approach's performance at Epsom was pretty awesome considering he pulled like crazy for the first few furlongs. For me he's without a doubt the best horse in the race however he's had 3 hard races in a relatively short space of time so I'll pass at the odds on quotes.

00dyel

Tartan Bearer for me.


on a side note Halla San E/W at 25-1 in Northumberland Plate.

Shan75

Well AOB wins another Derby.What a farce it turned out to be though.Murtagh's horse took away any chance Tartan Bearer had.It's hard to know for sure if he would have won as he wasn't exactly powering down the straight but when a horse is dragged halfway across the track it's hard for him to regain his forward momentum.Of course Frozen Fire finished very well but did not have to break stride at all.Casual Conquest looked to have been only slightly hampered and just wasn't good enough and it looked like Curtain Call was faltering at the time although the way he kept going suggests he may have finished closer with a clear run.No matter what this race is tainted and to be honest it's not heartening to see a horse, supposedly with a chance of winning, in a Classic running so erratically.Murtagh is one of my favourite jockeys and I believe he is in the top 3 or 4 in Europe currently riding but he must accept his part in this.Why would he switch his whip instead of allowing his mount to race against the rail.Of course he may have thought he was going to collide with the rail in which case I'm sure I would have taken the same evasive action.

mcaul

If I ever see Murtagh, I'l give him a slap on the face for cutting across curtain call and a pat on the back for winning on henrythenavigator.

The forecast heavy showers didn't naterialise and it was dry all saturday, so I don't think curtain call would have won, but he would have been in top three.

If New Approach was running, I'd say it would have won easily as the ground was perfect.