Ciro can land famous victory

Irish-trained horses enjoyed a purple patch during the early 1980s in the Emirates Airline Prix du Jockey-Club and the strongest Irish raid on the French Derby since then is about to hit Chantilly tomorrow.

Aidan O'Brien's Ciro is favourite to open the Ballydoyle stable's classic account for the year and in the process rack up a third French Group One prize of his own career. But Dermot Weld was yesterday far from playing down the chance of his own colt Muakaad despite it being only the third start of Muakkad's career.

Ranged against the Irish duo are six British-trained colts as well as a home team that is spearheaded by the Freddie Head trained Kutub who has a 1-1 personal score in his clashes with Ciro so far this season.

But there is a confidence in the Irish horses going to Chantilly that echoes the days when Assert won in 1982, followed 12 months later by Caerleon and in 1984 Sadler's Wells was edged out by Darshann in a vintage renewal of the race.

Ciro will be O'Brien's third French Derby runner and the colt proved in the Prix Lupin over 10 furlongs at Longchamp last time that good ground will suit him ideally.

"He was better on the good going last time and I don't think the mile and a half will be a problem. You never know until they run over it but Michael (Kinane) doesn't think it will be a problem," O'Brien, who also runs Bach in the Group One Prix Jean Prat over nine furlongs, said yesterday.

"It's the same with Bach. The better the ground the better he will like it. We're dropping back from 10 furlongs but that isn't because he didn't stay it at Leopardstown," O'Brien added.

The merit of the Derrinstown Derby Trial will also be tested by Muakaad in the big race and with the Dante runner-up Pawn Broker in opposition, the French Derby is certain to have reverberations on the Epsom Derby market. "I was disappointed with Muakaad in the Derrinstown but it was only his second race and his first time against horses of that calibre. Bach is going for a Group One and Sinndar is third or fourth favourite for the Derby so they are very good horses," said Weld yesterday.

"But I haven't changed my views. Muakaad is a good horse and he will give a very good account of himself. The trip is uncharted territory but Pat Smullen's opinion is that he will stay and a little ease in the ground will be ideal," Weld added. The supplementary entry Holding Court holds a decent chance too as does Godolphin's Predomiante winner Roscius but a first Irish winner of the French Derby in 17 years looks on the cards.

The bookies have clearly recognised Ciro's obvious credentials but it might be costly for them if they underestimate Muakaad's each-way chance.