Exaltation joins big guns

Exaltation's expected £90,000 supplementary entry to Sunday's Budweiser Irish Derby resulted in a 10 to 1 third favourite quote from the bookmakers yesterday even though no jockey has yet been booked for the colt.

Frankie Dettori could take over from the suspended John Murtagh on the Sheikh Mohammed-owned horse, but only if Tobougg misses the race and the Godolphin operation have yet to make a decision about the Epsom Derby third.

"There is no great hurry and we will have to see what happens with Tobougg. There won't be any jockey news until they have made their minds up but Exaltation is in good form," John Oxx said yesterday.

Along with the other supplementary entry, the Michael Jarvis-trained Italian Derby hero Morshdi, Exaltation is part of a 20-strong entry still left in the Derby and his presence was enough to allow Paddy Power install the Irish colt, who ran second to Galileo in the Derrinstown Trial, their 10 to 1 third best.

Galileo is a 2 to 5 favourite with Golan next best on 7 to 2 and there was good news for the latter's connections following 10.4mm of rain on the Curragh yesterday.

The rainfall turned the ground in the straight to "good" with "good to firm" on the round course and the Curragh manager Jason Morris described any watering of the track before the weekend as "unlikely".

"Further rain is forecast for later in the week before drying up at the weekend. After the 10mm today and that forecast, we are unlikely to water and it looks perfectly safe ground. I don't think it will be a problem for any horse," Morris said.

Lord Weinstock, who owns Golan, has expressed his desire to run the 2,000 Guineas winner at the Curragh but only if the ground eases from "good to firm".

Dermot Weld confirmed yesterday his outsider Vinnie Roe, owned by the well known film director Jim Sheridan, to be on course for the big race.

"He is in great form and takes his chance. He is a very adaptable horse and goes on any ground," said Weld of his Italian Derby third. A total of four French-trained horses were left in the Derby yesterday but none of the four are likely to run and the Curragh authorities are proceeding on the assumption the French entries were left in the race in error.

Acceptors: Cashel Bay (L Comer), Denon (J Pease, FR), Dr Brendler (J Hayden), Exaltation (J Oxx), Galileo (A P O'Brien), Giocomo (C O'Brien), Golan (Sir M Stoute, GB), Grandera (J Fanshawe, GB), Ice Dancer (A P O'Brien), Leger (E Lelouche, FR), March King (T Stack), Morshdi (M Jarvis, GB), Mr Combustible (B Hills, GB), Old Kentucky Home (M Zilber, FR), Pebble Island (A P O'Brien), Perfect Sunday (B Hills, GB), Pugin (J Oxx), Pushkin (E Lelouche, FR), Tobougg (S Bin Suroor, GB), Vinnie Roe (D Weld). (20).

Cashmans bet: 2/5 Galileo, 11/2 Golan, 11 Tobougg, 14 Exaltation, Grandera, 25 Mr Combustible, Perfect Sunday, 28 Morshdi, 100 bar.

Paddy Power bet: 2/5 Galileo, 7/2 Golan, 10 Exaltation, 12 Tobougg, 16 Mr Combustible and Grandera, 25 Morshdi and Perfect Sunday, 40 Pebble Island, 100 bar.

Tonight's action is at Leopardstown which has its weakest looking summer midweek card so far but does have a Derby link of sorts in the mile and a half maiden.

Giocomo is one of the 20 left in the big race but would do well just to land this contest based on what we have seen of him. In fact he could well be outpointed by Exaltation's stablemate Tempter who did enough on his debut behind Ice Dancer to suggest he can win this.

The Oxx-Murtagh team could also be the combination to follow in the fillies maiden with the Zafonic newcomer Alala and the Curragh trainer has an interesting newcomer, Sunny Spell, in the last.

The daughter of Nashwan and the Oaks winner Sun Princess is easily the best bred in the race but Petersham's course and distance fourth to Direct Bearing last time may be improved upon.

Galileo leads home Exaltation in Leopardstown's Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial. The runner-up seeks revenge in Sunday's Irish Derby at the Curragh after being supplemented at a cost of £90,000 yesterday.