Irish Trial Provides Derby Betting Tip
Leopardstown's Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial has proved a significant pointer towards Epsom in recent years, with Sinndar, Galileo and High Chaparral all completing the double in 2000, 2001 and 2002 respectively.
The 2012 renewal was won in game fashion by the Jim Bolger trained Light Heavy, who battled on well to get the better of the Aidan O'Brien trained second-string Tower Rock.
The big disappointment of the race was Wrote, who trailed in a well beaten third under Ryan Moore, after being sent off the hot 8/13 favourite in the Group 2 contest.
The race is unlikely to have any bearing on the outcome of the Investec Derby as the winner is not entered and unlikely to be supplemented, but Light Heavy paid a complement to his stable companion Parish Hall who is thought much the better colt by connections.
Parish Hall is likely to follow the same path as the stables' Derby winner New Approach, and take in the Irish 2000 Guineas on route to the Epsom classic for which he's available at 16/1 with several firms, including Boylesports. The Irish bookmaker went non runner no bet on the Derby and Oaks from Thursday - find out more about Boylesports here.
The main classic action of the day took place in France at Longchamp, featuring the Poule D'Essai Des Pouliches (1000 Guineas), and Poule D'Essai Des Poulains (2000 Guineas).
The unbeaten Beauty Parlour ran out an easy winner of the fillies classic, but the Joseph O'Brien ridden Up did her Investec Oaks prospect no harm by finishing second, and is now a best price 25/1 with Stan James.
Top French 2 year-old Dabirsim was expected to give Christophe Soumillon victory in the colts' version, but the son of Hat Trick endured a rough passage and looked as if he would be better suited by a drop back in trip and better ground. The race ended tragically when Aidan O'Brien's Furner's Green suffered a fatal injury just a few strides after crossing the line in third.