Magician is likely to miss the Epsom Derby
(Healy Racing Photos)

Trainer Aidan O'Brien raised the possibility of the Galileo colt bidding for a quickfire Classic double when leaving his Curragh hero in the Derby field at Monday's five-day stage.

However, with Coolmore having a further five runners in the mile-and-a-half contest, including long-time leading fancy Battle Of Marengo, Dee Stakes winner Magician is set to be saved for another day.

Coolmore tweeted: "At the moment Ballydoyle has 5 intended Epsom Derby runners (Battle Of Marengo, Festive Cheer, Flying The Flag, Ruler Of The World & Mars).

"It's possible this could change depending on how the horses are in the morning prior to declaration."

Moth represents Aidan O'Brien 
in Friday's Oaks 
(Healy Racing Photos)

O'Brien's Snow Queen was the only withdrawal from the confirmation stage. The Ballydoyle handler has saddled four previous Oaks winners, including last year's heroine Was.

Ante-post favourite Secret Gesture features among 11 fillies declared for a superb renewal of the Classic.

The daughter of Galileo shot to prominence for the mile-and-a-half feature with a devastating display in the Lingfield Oaks Trial and will bid to give trainer Ralph Beckett his second win in the race, following Look Here's triumph in five years ago.

Secret Gesture will carry the colours of Qatar Racing for the first time after Sheikh Fahad snapped up a half-share earlier this week, but Jim Crowley keeps the ride.

Beckett has an interesting second string to his bow in Pretty Polly winner Talent, the mount of Richard Hughes.

Hughie Morrison runs Cheshire Oaks winner Banoffee, supplemented at a cost of £30,000, while Sir Michael Stoute's Liber Nauticus was towards the head of the betting even before enhancing her claims with victory in the Musidora Stakes.

Michael Bell runs Madame Defarge and The Lark, with the field completed by Gertrude Versed, Roz and Miss You Too.

King Of The Romans strides clear for Joseph O'Brien
(Healy Racing Photos)

The son of Holy Roman Emperor was sent straight to the front on leaving the stalls by Joseph O’Brien in this nine-furlong event but was headed around halfway byMadam Mo.

However the champion jockey got a great run up the inner entering the short straight to take it up again, and the 100/30 chance soon settled the issue to beat the staying on newcomer Modista (16/1) by three and three quarter lengths.

The frustrating Cocktail Hour (5/2) held every chance approaching the straight but was again found wanting in third, with 9/4 favourite Madam Mo also weakening to finish fourth.

Joseph O’Brien said afterwards, “I’m happy enough with that. He’d run well before and he was probably just coming up against better horses in those auction maidens.”

Additional reporting by Donal Murphy

Dawn Approach (Kevin Manning) winning the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket 
(Healy Racing Photos)

Jim Bolger's unbeaten Qipco 2000 Guineas winner has stamina questions to answer on the Downs having never run over further than a mile, and even his effervescent trainer has admitted there is no guarantee he will stay a mile and a half.

However, he is a very short-priced favourite to add another Classic to his record.

He could at least face one surprise rival in the shape of Aidan O'Brien's Magician, an easy winner of the Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday, while German contender Chopin has been supplemented at a cost of £75,000 by Andreas Wohler.

O'Brien can also call on Derrinstown Trial winner Battle Of Marengo, Newmarket Guineas sixth Mars, unbeaten Chester Vase winner Ruler Of The World, Flying The Flag and Festive Cheer.

Andrew Oliver's First Cornerstone, who ran a pleasing race when fifth in the Irish Guineas on what was his seasonal reappearance, is another possible for Ireland along with David Wachman's Galileo Rock.

Andre Fabre took the spoils two years ago with Pour Moi and has followed a similar route to Epsom with Ocovango.

York's Dante Stakes is usually seen as the best trial in Britain and Elaine Burke's Libertarian won that in good style, beating Trading Leather, who has also been left in by Bolger.

James Tate's Mirsaale and the John Ryan-trained Ocean Applause complete the confirmations.

Leading Light beats Little White Cloud at the Curragh
(Healy Racing Photos)

The win, bringing up a double for Ballydoyle after Sir John Hawkins' victory in the first, looked like it mightn't be achieved for a stride or two as Little White Cloud andCount Of Limonade tried their cases from the quarter mile pole.

However, despite left off the rail inside the last, the victorious Montjeu colt was well on top at the finish, prevailing by two and a quarter lengths.

Aidan O'Brien said: "He's a lazy horse. He doesn't mind going along in front and there's always plenty there when you want it.

"He has plenty of pace and he's able to get a position. He's a very straight-forward Montjeu – he can get a position early, travel along and he can be tough at the end.

"He's lazy that's why he wears the cheek-pieces. It helps him from being too lazy early on.

"He's a possible for Ascot or the Irish Derby. He wouldn't mind ten furlongs, a mile and a half or even two miles – I don't think it matters to him." (GC & EM)

Magician
(Healy Racing Photos)

Previously impressive in winning the Dee Stakes at Chester over 10 furlongs, the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt dropped back to a mile on Saturday and ran out a stunning winner of the Curragh Classic.

Afterwards, Coolmore supremo John Magnier suggested - by his own admission "tongue in cheek" - that he could go for the Derby, while conceding that Royal Ascot and the St James's Palace Stakes would be the more obvious route.

However speaking at the Curragh on Sunday, O'Brien said: "He pulled out fine from the race and he'll be left in the Derby tomorrow.

"The lads haven't made a decision yet. They'll get all the information about how he is and then make a decision. It's definitely possible.

"It (a mile and a half) would be a bit of a concern with what he did yesterday as he showed so much speed, but he got a mile and a quarter easily at Chester and he has a relaxed way of galloping."

Of the remainder of his Investec Derby squad, O'Brien added: "They'll all be left in but I'm not sure about Nevis."

Sir John Hawkins (nearside) beat Intensified (middle) and Sudirman at the Curragh
(Healy Racing Photos)

The mating of Henrythenavigator and Peeping Fawn was a match made in heaven and with his tongue lolling out, their son, Sir John Hawkins did them proud when travelling well throughout before prevailing in the six furlong opener under Joseph O'Brien.

When asked for his effort from over a furlong out, Sir John Hawkins quickened well inside the last to eventually see off the fancied pair, Intensified (the second favourite) and the front-runner, Sudirman (10s this morning into 11/2) by three parts of a length and a head.

Aidan O'Brien, the winning trainer, said: "You'd have to be delighted with that. I was afraid he might be a bit babyish but he got a lovely lead and loves the fast ground.

"What can I say – he is by Henry out of Peeping Fawn – all I can do is destroy him after that!

"He'll have learned plenty from that. Whether Royal Ascot would come too quick I'm not sure.

"He has loads of speed. He was a bit green today but he'll learn more by being up there." (GC & EM)

Frankie Dettori
(Healy Racing Photos)

The jockey is hoping to get clearance early next week from the French authorities to return to race-riding after his six-month worldwide ban and he has ridden work at Ballydoyle this spring.

Asked at the Curragh today if he would like to use Dettori this season, O'Brien said: "Absolutely, Frankie has always been a great rider, he still is and always will be."

O'Brien added that he hoped to finalise his Derby riding plans in the middle of the week.

He said: "We have a great team of riders and hopefully we will get the team sorted in middle of the week."

Coach House and Joseph O'Brien in winning action at the Curragh
(Healy Racing Photos)

Abbakova showed speed in this small but select field as she blazed a trail in the five furlong contest. However, at the furlong pole she was grabbed by Club Wexford and Coach House.

Joseph O’Brien asked Coach House to go on and the 4/6 favourite readily bounded away to put daylight between himself and Club Wexford (7/2).

Abbakova kept on for third at 16/1 under Pat Smullen, having been 33/1 in the morning.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien said: “We thought he was a nice horse. He won nicely last time. He’s a lovely two-year-old. He has speed enough for five so he has all the options at Royal Ascot.

“Joseph said he showed lots of speed and that he even got there a bit early on him. He’ll maybe get six or seven furlongs in time.”

Owner John Magnier added: “Maybe the five furlong Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot would be a race for him.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Stubbs was also due to contest this race, but was pulled out earlier today due to a stone bruise. This caused a shake-up in the market, but Coach House was still nicely backed down to 4/6.

Coach House improved O’Brien’s record in this race to nine wins from the last 15 renewals.

On his 2,000 Guineas favourite Magician, who runs at 3.20pm, Aidan O’Brien said: “He is in good form. He’s a good moving horse. A mile and a quarter on a sharp track at Chester would be equivalent to a mile here.”

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

Glassatura, left, shows plenty of dash at the Curragh
(Healy Racing Photos)

Glassatura was switched out to the centre of the track and sprouted wings in the final furlong under Shane Foley to wear down the 1/2 favourite who led throughout on the rail.

Joseph O’Brien on Bye Bye Birdie jumped out smartly from stall 12 and grabbed the stands-side rail in taking the field along.

A furlong and a half out he asked for more and it looked like the daughter of Oasis Dream would improve on her runner-up finish first-time out at Naas.

However, despite hitting 1/50 in-running, she couldn’t hold off Glassatura who was trapped behind horses before being switched out to deliver her challenge.

“She’s a very smart filly. She showed her class when she got out. She appreciated the six furlongs and she’ll improve a lot,” Shane Foley commented.

Trainer Michael Halford said: “She has shown us plenty form the start at home. We do like her and she could go on to better things. She got the trip well. She might go up in trip not back.

“We’ll step her up into a Listed race at Naas [3rd June]. We wanted to get a nice introduction into her and she did well to win from where she was.

“Shane said she was keen going to the start so he dropped her in and she was probably further back than he wanted to be.

“She accelerated well when she got into the clear. I expect her to come on from the run.”

Glassatura won by a neck from Bye Bye Birdie with Tap Dancing (13/2) a further three parts of a length away in third for David Wachman and Wayne Lordan.

The winner paid almost 67/1 on the Tote.

Patty Paige was withdrawn not under orders, after becoming restless in the stalls.

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

Starspangledbanner on his way to victory in the 2010 Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot
(Healy Racing Photos)

The seven-year-old was a Group One performer in Australia before being purchased by the Coolmore team and switched to the care of Aidan O'Brien in 2010.

He won the Diamond Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot that year as well as the July Cup before eventually being retired that autumn.

However, he returned to training last season after suffering fertility problems but failed to recapture his best in six starts, most recently finishing well down the field in Dubai.

Despite Starspangledbanner's previous problems, Rosemont principal Anthony Mithen is optimistic about his chances of a successful career at stud following the resurgence of another stallion, Foreplay, who also suffered fertility issues.

He said: "We will be trying some new fertility techniques that weren't available when Star last stood at stud. He is a little older and more mature and we take some real heart from the job that was done on Foreplay.

"Our bloodstock manager Dean Harvey oversaw the transformation of Foreplay from a sub-fertile stallion to a real commercial option, now batting at close to 80% fertility. Stem cell treatment really helped and from what we understand, Starspangledbanner and Foreplay's areas of concern are very similar," he told www.rosemontstud.com.au.

Starspangledbanner will serve a limited number of mares and his fee has yet to be decided.

Frankie Dettori
(Healy Racing Photos)

The 42-year-old rider had planned to be back in action this week after serving a six-month ban handed out by France Galop after he tested positive for cocaine at Longchamp last September.

However, a "private matter" between Dettori and the Medical Committee of France Galop has so far prevented the French regulator from clearing the jockey to return, with the British Horseracing Authority reciprocating that stance.

Dettori has been in France for the last two days trying to iron out the problem with France Galop and his solicitor Christopher Stewart-Moore believes progress has been made.

He told Press Association Sport: "The latest position is that Frankie Dettori has been in France for the last two days at France Galop.

"The matter has moved forward and we are expecting a positive result.

"We are hopeful that the glitch has been ironed out so that he can get his English licence in time to ride in the Derby."

BHA spokesman Robin Mounsey confirmed they are still awaiting the relevant information from France Galop and there has been no change in the position of racing's rulers.

Battle Of Marengo
(Healy Racing Photos)

The Ballydoyle handler said his son, Joseph, was "short enough odds" to ride Battle Of Marengo in the Derby, and confirmed only 2000 Guineas sixth Mars alongside him, with plans to be made for the rest.

O'Brien explained that plans for his Derby team had yet to be made final. "It's all a little bit up in the air at the moment, but they are all in good shape so far," he said.

"Obviously Battle Of Marengo was always going to stay home for the two trials and the other horses were going to go for the trials elsewhere.

"We said after Newmarket that Mars would go for the Derby and he probably will end up going there as well. Obviously we have Ruler Of The World and Magician, and there are a few other options apart from that.

"We'll probably get towards the end of the week when they are doing their work, but they've all been together and done their half-speeds

"Joseph has always ridden Battle Of Marengo, I think he's probably short enough odds to ride him. Mars will go if everything else goes well with him between now and then. Whatever else goes, we're not 100% sure."

Although jockey bookings have yet to be firmed up, O'Brien expects that to be a straight forward issue once running plans have been confirmed.

"Obviously there's Seamie (Heffernan) and Colm (O'Donoghue) and Ryan (Moore) has also ridden for us. I don't think that's going to be a problem. All those things usually fall into place."

Magician
(Healy Racing Photos)

A field of 10 is set to line up for the colts' Classic, with the Ballydoyle trainer responsible for ante-post favourite Magician, Flying The Flag, George Vancouver and Gale Force Ten.

Johnny Murtagh was aboard three of the eight O'Brien winners and he aims to get his training career off to a flying start when he saddles Ask Dad and Fort Knox in the one-mile showpiece.

This race has so far eluded trainer Jim Bolger and the Coolcullen handler tries this time with Trading Leather, having removed his four other possibles.

First Cornerstone, trained in Northern Ireland by Andy Oliver, is set to make his seasonal debut in the Classic after a slight setback forced him to miss the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial.

Richard Hannon has successfully plundered the Irish 2,000 Guineas three times and the Herridge handler sends a powerful duo in the shape of Van Der Neer, third in the Newmarket equivalent, and Havana Gold, who was fifth in the French version.

Camelot pictured winning at the Curragh earlier this month
(Healy Racing Photos)

The four-year-old, who also won the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last season, was struck down by colic after his run in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe but reappeared this season with a straightforward win in the Mooresbridge Stakes.

Also in the mix for the Ballydoyle team is last year's Oaks winner Was along with El Salvador, Windsor Palace and Ernest Hemingway.

Al Kazeem has been given the green light to travel over by his trainer Roger Charlton after a good piece of work on Monday.

Dermot Weld's Ribblesdale winner Princess Highway could still run, despite disappointing in the Blue Wind Stakes last week.

David Wachman's Aloof and Joanna Morgan's Negotiate are the other possibles.

Was wins the Oaks
(Healy Racing Photos)

Aidan O'Brien's charge failed to win again in four starts after her Epsom victory, although she twice finished third in Group One company.

She is the only Ballydoyle entry in the race, in which David Wachman has the choice of Aloof and Precious Stone, both of which are also owned by the Coolmore team.

Sir Henry Cecil's Dahlia Stakes second Chigun and the Roger Charlton-trained third Thistle Bird could clash again while William Haggas' Sentaril is the other British-trained contender.

The well-regarded Caponata has been entered by Dermot Weld while Ger Lyons' Lily's Angel has already won at Listed and Group Three level this term.

Lady Wingshot, La Collina, Romantic Stroll and Sindjara complete the list of 11 possibles.

Cristoforo Colombo - Guineas favourite
(Healy Racing Photos)

Murtagh only received his licence to train from the Turf Club last Friday and the Co Meath-born man is really looking forward to Saturday. “I got the licence on Friday and it’s all systems go,” commented Murtagh today. “Fort Knox is a decent colt and will appreciate a decent bit of ground. We could not be happier with him and he is ready to put up a big showing. We supplemented Ask Dad for the race and he is likely to take his chance too.”

Trainer Richard Hannon has left three in the race, including Newmarket 2000 Guineas third Van Der Neer, along with Olympic Glory (who got no run in the French 2000 Guineas from a bad draw) and Havana Gold. Cristoforo Colombo, Mars and George Vancouver, fifth, sixth and 10th respectively behind Dawn Approach at Newmarket, are the three main Aidan O’Brien hopes, but he also has Flying The Flag, Forester, Magician, Pedro The Great and French 2000 Guineas fourth Gale Force Ten to rely on. Meanwhile, trainer Andy Oliver has also committed First Cornerstone to the race.

Jim Bolger has left four in the race, but the Co Carlow-based trainer is likely to plump for Loch Garman following that horse’s second placing behind Battle Of Marengo at Leopardstown just over a week ago. “He has come out of the Leopardstown race and the plan is to run him in Saturday’s race,” commented Bolger.

Bookmaker Paddy Power have installed Cristoforo Colombo as there 3/1 favourite for the Tattersalls-sponsored race. They then go 100/30 Olympic Glory, 5/1 Van Der Neer, 7/1 Fort Knox, 8/1 Gale Force Ten, Loch Garman, Mars and Trading Leather, 12 George Vancouver, Magician and Havana Gold, 14/1 Pedro The Great, 16/1 Leitir Mor, 20/1 Bar.

The Group Three Abu Dhabi Stakes has attracted 12 quality entries and will be one of the races of the weekend. Dermot Weld, who won this race 12 months ago with Emulous, will rely on Caponata this time around, while Kempton Listed winner Lily’s Angel is also primed to run along with Precious Stone, Sindjara, Was, La Colina and Aloof. There are three British-trained entries in Chigun, Sentaril and Thistle Bird.

Gordon Lord Byron, Maarek, Jimmy Styles, Cape Of Approval, Hitchens, Slade Power and Gale Force Ten are among 20 entries for the Group Three Weatherbys Ireland Greenland Stakes, while there are 11 entries for the Listed Cold Move EBF Marble Hill Stakes.

1st race 1.45pm

Admission 20 euro, Seniors and Under 25s 10 euro, Under 16s Free. Trains to Kildare Town with free shuttle to racecourse. Dublin Coach service from Dublin to Curragh – see dublincoach.ie for details

Entries for Sunday will be published at 12 noon tomorrow. The eight race programme will feature the Etihad Airways Irish 1000 Guineas, Tattersalls Gold Cup and President of the UAE Cup, while it is also Ladies Day with spectacular prizes for the Most Stylish Ladies and Men judged by Norah Casey and Aoibhin Garrihy of Fair City fame. Other attractions over both days include a Boutique Shopping and Food Village, Pamper Clinic for ladies with Shades & Shapes and display of the Etihad Formula One Ferrari Car.

Declaration Of War runs in the Lockinge 
(Healy Racing Photos)

The former Jean-Claude Rouget-trained colt was available at 7-2 on Monday but sustained support now has him as the clear favourite around the 7-4 mark.

O'Brien also runs Reply.

Saeed bin Suroor's Farhh, second in four Group Ones last season, twice behind Frankel, makes his eagerly-awaited reappearance in a race his trainer has won four times.

Roger Charlton's Cityscape avoided Frankel last season as he was in the same Khalid Abdullah ownership but he suffered his own near-misses behind Excelebration.

This year he is likely to stay at home rather than travelling around Europe.

John Gosden supplemented Fencing after an impressive display at Ascot on his first run as a gelding.

Beauty Parlour is an intriguing runner for Sir Henry Cecil.

Last year's French 1000 Guineas winner and Oaks runner-up has only had one prior run for Cecil when she disappointed in the Sun Chariot Stakes.

Roger Varian has always highly rated Aljamaaheer but so far he was been found wanting when upped in class.

Richard Hannon won the race in 2010 and 2011 with Paco Boy and Canford Cliffs respectively but his representative this year, Trumpet Major, will need a career-best here.

Hannon also runs Libranno, the mount of Kieren Fallon.

Connections of David O'Meara's Penitent, last seen in Hong Kong at Sha Tin, will be hoping for rain.

Chil The Kite, Sovereign Debt and German raider Amaron complete the field.

Hanky Panky & Joseph O'Brien on their way to victory
(Healy Racing Photos)

The daughter of Galileo is a half-sister to the mighty Giant’s Causeway and it has been well publicised that she needs a sound surface to be seen at her best.

She disappointed in the past on soft and heavy ground but on yielding to soft this evening she quickened up well to hit the front a furlong out, going on to score by a length and a quarter at the line.

The Kevin Prendergast trained Nabat Sultan (12/1) travelled strongly two furlongs from home but she couldn't match Hanky Panky and had to settle for second.

Sharp Crisp Air, who was backed from 7/2 to 5/2 on-course, finished three and three parts of a length back in third under Pat Smullen for Dermot Weld.

Joseph O'Brien said afterwards; "She relaxed well and she quickened up nicely. She is a nice filly but she needs good ground and that’s the best she’s had for a while even though it’s quite dead.

"The hood relaxed her a bit. She has been unlucky and we thought she’d win her maiden on slow ground even though she wants it better. A couple of things didn’t go right for her."

Additional reporting by Gary Carson

St Nicholas Abbey will be bidding for his third straight Coronation Cup win
(Healy Racing Photos)

The Aidan O'Brien-trained six-year-old heads the 12 entries for the mile-and-a-half Group One at Epsom on June 1st following the latest scratchings deadline.

St Nicholas Abbey, who beat Midday in 2011 and swept to victory from Red Cadeaux last year, took his Group One tally to five when lifting the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.

O'Brien has a strong back-up squad in Chamonix, El Salvador, Ernest Hemingway and Imperial Monarch.

Connections of Dandino will look at this race for the Group Two winner, whose main target in 2013 is the Melbourne Cup.

The six-year-old, fourth in this race in 2011, shaped with promise on his first run for trainer Marco Botti when runner-up in the Qipco Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

"We are considering the Coronation Cup for Dandino. The owners have told me to leave him in the race and we will just monitor the ground because he is a fast-ground horse," said Botti.

"The long-term plan is the Melbourne Cup and, although it would be good to win the Coronation Cup, we have to be mindful of his handicap mark for Australia.

"If the race cut up and the ground is fine we might just have a look because the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, which is also an option, can be just a tough as a Group One now it has no penalties."

International interest is provided by 2011 Melbourne Cup victor Dunaden, trained in France by Mikel Delzangles, and Very Nice Name, who has been left in by Qatari-based Alban de Mieulle and was last seen when third behind St Nicholas Abbey at Meydan.

The list of possibles is completed by 2012 Derby second Main Sequence, Chapter Seven, Joshua Tree and Sir Graham Wade.

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Joseph O'Brien rode a winner for his mum Anne-Marie
(Healy Racing Photos)

The top weight coasted home by six lengths to justify 4/6 favouritism in the one mile six race. Nouveau Moulin (5/1) hung right in the home straight, but the six-year-old mare ran a creditable race to come in second on her first outing on the ‘flat’ after running in bumpers.

Aidan O’Brien trains the four-year-old son of Galileo for his wife Anne-Marie. His son Joseph commented after dismounting: “He did what he was entitled to do and he stays well. He won a middling race nicely and I’m hoping he’ll handle nice ground.

Additional reporting by Thomas Weekes

Indian Chief runs in the Dante at York
(Healy Racing Photos)

O'Brien has carried all before him recently on the Derby trials front and his latest candidate was impressive in winning a Leopardstown maiden last month.

In the shock absence of Telescope, the Highclere Thoroughbred Racing operation rely solely on the Luca Cumani-trained Greatwood, who missed the Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday due to rain-softened ground.

Kieren Falllon would not have been able to ride at the weekend due to suspension but is back in action on the Knavesmire.

Saeed bin Suroor seeks a third Dante success with Secret Number, who lost his unbeaten record when third to O'Brien's Lines Of Battle in the UAE Derby. He will be ridden by Silvestre de Sousa.

Mark Johnston's Windhoek (Joe Fanning) has already run twice this season, picking up a valuable sales prize at Newmarket - where he edged Greatwood - and following up back on the Rowley Mile in a Listed event.

Ghurair for John Gosden further represents that sales race at Newmarket as he was third that day, while Jim Bolger runs an interesting contender in Trading Leather, last seen finishing fifth in the Racing Post Trophy to Kingsbarns.

David Elsworth's Dashing Star and the Elaine Burke-trained Libertarian complete the line-up.

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Battle Of Marengo & Joseph O'Brien on their way to victory from Loch Garman in second
(Healy Racing Photos)

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and ridden by Joseph (double on the day for them), the son of Galileo was completing a five timer today as he went off the 2/13 favourite (was 1/3 this morning and opened at 1/5 on-course).

Having settled in second behind Dont Bother Me he took over in front four furlongs out. He was ridden a furlong from home and he kept on strongly in the final furlong to come home a comfortable length and three parts in front of Loch Garman (9/2) in second for Jim Bolger and Kevin Manning.

Aidan O'Brien said afterwards: "That all went to plan. We had to go on with him or it would have been a very steady pace.

"He has just ticked over since the last day. You would have to be happy with him. He is lazy in front but he gave a good blow afterwards.

"He loves fast ground as he is a great mover.

"The three owners will decide where he goes next. It’s going to be an interesting Dante now (Dante Stakes at York on May 16th, Indian Chief the likely O’Brien runner).

Boylesports shortened Dawn Approach for the Derby after the win to 6/4 from 7/4. They also shortened Battle Of Marengo from 5/1 to 4/1.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham

Joseph O'Brien drives out Just Pretending to beat Hint Of A Tint on the outside

Ridden by Joseph O’Brien, the daughter of Giant’s Causeway raced in third in the early stages behind the 13/8 favourite We’ll Go Walking.

The Jim Bolger trained favourite was headed two furlongs out and she quickly faded eventually finishing last under Kevin Manning.

Just Pretending took over in front two furlongs out and she kept on well from there to hold off the challenge of the David Wachman trained, Fran Berry ridden, Hint Of A Tint (6/1) by a neck at the line.

The Mick Halford trained Mizzava was a further two and a quarter lengths back in third under Shane Foley at the odds of 14/1.

Aidan O’Brien said afterwards: "She is a funny lady. She gives trouble at the stalls and needs to be loaded early.

"She has loads of ability and she showed that at Navan. She could go for the Guineas now and she might step up to a mile and a quarter. She is a fine big filly."

The winner is a half-sister to the Grade 3 winner in the US called The Leopard, who cost $2,500,000 as a two-year-old.

Additional reporting by Michael Graham