Irish bookmakers Cashmans yesterday backed the form of last Saturday's Vodafone Derby. They make Epsom first and second HighRise and City Honours 2 to 1 joint favourites in their opening show of betting on the Budweiser Irish Derby a fortnight next Sunday. Dream Well, winner of the Prix du Jockey-Club (French Derby) is quoted at 5 to 1, with Saratoga Springs - fourth at Chantilly and 10th at Epsom - offered at 8 to 1.
The Curragh is staging the first clash of the two Derby winners since Epsom victor Commander In Chief beat French rival Hernando in 1993.
Cashmans betting: 2-1 City Honours, HighRise, 5-1 Dream Well, 8-1 Saratoga Springs, 141 Sunshine Street, 25-1 Risk Material, 33-1 Takarian. Others on request.
Meanwhile, John Reid will partner Persian Punch in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, trainer David Elsworth revealed yesterday.
Persian Punch, who has been partnered by Kieren Fallon (on his first two runs) and Walter Swinburn on his three outings so far this season, is sure to be one of the market leaders for next Thursday's feature following his fine win at Sandown last time out.
Swinburn was seen at his best on the five-year-old in the Bonusprint Henry II Stakes, forcing the gelding home by a head from Samraan.
Fallon has been claimed to ride Canon Can in the Gold Cup for his boss Henry Cecil and Swinburn is also likely to be unavailable leaving Reid to step in for the mount.
Peter Chapple-Hyam yesterday added Victory Note to next Tuesday's St James's Palace Stakes, setting up a mouth-watering opening-day clash.
He has supplemented the French 2,000 Guineas winner to the Group One race at a cost of £20,000, setting up a rematch with Longchamp third Desert Prince.
The latter has since won the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, which Victory Note missed as his owners preferred to rely on Second Empire.
"I wasn't disappointed to miss the Irish Guineas as it gave us more time to get him ready for this," Chapple-Hyam said.
"He's been supplemented and everything is fine. I am looking forward to the race.
"We beat Desert Prince last time and there is no reason we shouldn't beat him again, although you never know as horses aren't machines.
"It will be a very tough race but we are as ready as we will ever be."
The pair could be opposed by Sagitta 2,000 Guineas second Lend A Hand plus Fa-Eq and Muhthathir, respective runners-up in the Irish and French equivalents, in next Tuesday's £235,000 event.
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