Presence of Galileo fails to deter Curragh challengers

The opposition is starting to gather strength against Michael Kinane's attempt to win Sunday's Budweiser Irish Derby on Galileo.

Kinane has yet to win his home Derby despite 18 previous attempts but looks to have his best ever chance this time on the brilliant Galileo who was the subject of an "everything is fine" bulletin from Ballydoyle yesterday.

However, despite Galileo's emphatic Derby victory, the placed horses at Epsom look like having another crack at the unbeaten colt. The indications from Newmarket are that Golan may well take his chance at the Curragh and Tobougg is also looking a likely starter for Godolphin.

Spokesman Simon Crisford said yesterday: "We are giving the Irish Derby some serious consideration and Tobougg is a very possible runner. We have a number of other options, including the Eclipse, but we will decide in mid-week."

Michael Jarvis confirmed yesterday the Italian Derby winner, Morshdi, will be supplemented tomorrow at a cost of £90,000, a step that also looks likely for the John Oxx-trained Exaltation.

Jarvis said: "He is in very good order. He loves fast ground and we think it's worth having a cut."

Grandera, third in the French Derby, pleased trainer James Fanshawe in a piece of work yesterday and will also take his chance on Sunday with Michael Hills riding. Hills has plumped for Grandera over Mr Combustible, who is trained by his father, Barry.

The ground at the Curragh is currently "good to firm" on all courses and the track manager Jason Morris said yesterday: "We are considering watering but it will depend on the forecast over the next few days. We are expecting a mixed start to the week."

The Curragh's watering on the run up to the Guineas meeting last month resulted in some criticism from trainers after late rain changed the ground to the soft side of good.

Galileo has been installed a 13 favourite for Sunday's race. He dominates the early antepost exchanges that began with Cashman's price release yesterday. Golan has been made the 11-2 second favourite with Tobougg next best at 10-1. This evening's action is an all-National Hunt card at Kilbeggan where the J P McManus colours are set to figure strongly. Istabraq's pacemaker, Aerleon Pete, is one of two McManus-owned runners in the featured handicap hurdle and can score for Charlie Swan, while Swan's frustrating old friend, Afarad, brings a 119 hurdles rating to the beginners chase which puts him in with an obvious chance.

Scallybuck was just a short head off Shallee over hurdles at Tipperary and gets a useful weight concession from Colm's Rock in the handicap chase, while Ask The Moon looks the bet in the three-mile handicap hurdle.

Irish Derby betting Cashmans: 1-3 Galileo, 11-2 Golan, 10 Tobougg, 16 Mr Combustible, 20 Grandera and Exaltation, 25-1 bar.