Blanco the Punters Irish Derby Choice

As the countdown continues to this weekend’s Group 1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, irish racing punters are latching on to Dante Stakes winner Cape Blanco as the most likely of the five Ballydoyle entries to carry off one of the richest prizes in European racing, writes Elliot Slater.

Earlier in the week Jan Vermeer was a solid favourite for the mile-and-a-half contest, but recent uncertainty over which horse stable jockey Johnny Murtagh will partner on Sunday at the Curragh has led to speculation that the popular Irishman will side with Cape Blanco.

Significant money has seen the odds for Cape Blanco trimmed from 4/1 down to 9/4 as Jan Vermeer has proved friendless drifting from 2/1 to 10/3. Mark Johnston’s Monterosso, winner of the King Edward VII stakes at Royal Ascot last week has also attracted good support and is now a best priced with racing tips for today at 7/2, whilst the third of Aidan O’Brien’s big guns, Midas Touch, fifth at Epsom, a place behind Jan Vermeer, can still be backed at 5/1.

Cape Blanco looked a very serious horse when easily brushing aside the subsequently highly impressive Epsom Derby winner Workforce at York in May, and may not have fully recovered from a bruised heel when well below-par in the French Derby earlier this month. The step up to 12 furlongs should suit the son of Galileo who is well capable of handling the prevailing fast ground and looks certain to put in a big performance, probably at the main expense of his stable companion and former big race favourite Jan Vermeer.

Aidan O’Brien has monopolised the Irish derby over the last decade, and whilst Coordinated Cut, Monterosso and Jim Bolger’s pair of Puncher Clynch and Carraiglawn are respected, it is hard to envisage the prize not returning to Ballydoyle on Sunday evening, most probably courtesy of the flashy chestnut colt Cape Blanco.