Punters only have eyes for Jan Vermeer and Murtagh

IRISH DERBY NEWS:JOHNNY MURTAGH enjoyed an odds-on solo show with Fame And Glory in last year's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby and punters still seem to believe the champion jockey will be on Jan Vermeer in Sunday's renewal of Ireland's premier Classic at the Curragh.

Jan Vermeer remains a Derby favourite with many bookmakers despite sustained support for his stable companion Cape Blanco who is now a 5 to 2 joint favourite in some lists on the back of uncertainty as to what horse Murtagh will ride. However, no definite running plans have emerged from Ballydoyle about Aidan O’Brien’s five entries for Sunday’s €1.25 million feature.

Jockey arrangements are similarly unconfirmed with Murtagh also having the option of teaming up with Midas Touch who was only just behind Jan Vermeer when the pair finished fourth and fifth in the Epsom Derby.

Cape Blanco beat the subsequent Epsom hero, Workforce, in impressive fashion in York’s Dante Stakes before losing his unbeaten record with a disappointing effort in the French Derby at Chantilly.

“All five are in the mix. It’s possible, but not definite, that all five will run. We could make a decision tomorrow (Thursday,)” O’Brien said yesterday. Johnny also has to make his mind up which one he wants to ride.”

Murtagh is pursuing a fourth victory in the Irish Derby following the John Oxx pair, Sinndar (2000) and Alamshar (2003), as well as Fame And Glory, who was an easy Classic winner at 8 to 11 odds last year.

O’Brien yesterday confirmed that Fame And Glory, twice a Group One winner so far this season in the Tattersalls Gold Cup and the Coronation Cup, is on a mid-summer break and could return in September’s Irish Champion Stakes.

Other running plans for Sunday’s Classic seem to be firming up with Jim Bolger indicating both Puncher Clynch and Carraiglawn are likely to line-up in the Derby rather than Saturday’s Group Three International Stakes.

“It’s likely I will run both of them and Kevin Manning will ride Puncher Clynch and David Moran Carraiglawn,” Bolger said.

“Puncher Clynch is a very competitive horse and he doesn’t give up easily so I’m sure he will give a good account of himself. Carraiglawn could well be a four-year-old before we see the best of him but that’s a pattern with horses by Rock Of Gibraltar.

“They are later maturers than he was himself. He won his last race well and it is fairly likely I will run both,” added Bolger who famously won the Derby in record-breaking time with St Jovite in 1992.

With ground conditions still forecast to be fast for the weekend Godolphin’s Dante flop, Chabal, is unlikley to run on Sunday and Frankie Dettori will be on board the €125,000 supplementary entry Monterosso.

The King Edward VII winner races in the colours of Sheikh Mohammed’s son, Sheikh Hamdan Bin Mohammed, and was ridden by Dettori at Ascot last week. Dettori was an Irish Derby winner on Blanchine 16 years ago.

Jim Bolger also indicated yesterday a late decision will be taken on whether or not Akdarena and Gile Na Greine will be considered for Saturday’s Group One at the Curragh, the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes.