A field of 10 runners were declared for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Sunday afternoon, with the first, second, and third from the Epsom version all set to battle once more.
Make sure you’re ready for the big race by checking out our top-rated betting sites and expert tips, as well as taking advantage of the completely free weekend Placepot which Tote are offering this weekend, on top of £30 in free bets for new customers.
Free Tote Placepot all weekend
Before we get to the Irish Derby, we’re keen to highlight a nice free offer that Tote are running throughout the weekend.
Opt in to claim yours ahead of placing your bets this weekend, and you can use it on your choice of UK or Irish action, including Sunday’s £50k guaranteed pot at Uttoxeter.
To help you out with today’s action, resident Placepot tipster Andrew Mount is on hand with his perm for the big pot at Newcastle.
And it’s even better news if you haven’t signed up with Tote already. They’re high on our list of recommended UK betting sites, and are offering new customers £30 in free bets + 20 free spins when you open a new account and bet just £10.
Free Tote Placepot T&Cs
Free Placepot: Online only. Eligibility restrictions apply. Free Placepot to the value of £0.50 in Tote Credit. Redeemable against placepot bets at Tote.co.uk & Tote apps only. Tote Credit cannot be withdrawn, exchanged, or substituted and expires Sunday at 23:59. Opt-in required. One per customer. UK & ROI customers only. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. Gambleaware.org
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Irish Derby Preview: Lambourn there to be taken on
Aidan O’Brien has made the Irish Derby his own, landing the race an astonishing 15 times since Desert King gave him his first success back in 1997. Remarkably, he’s only once failed to have a runner finish in the first three in the past 22 editions, a record that looks set to continue, with five of the 10 runners in this year’s field trained at Ballydoyle.
Leading the charge is Epsom Derby hero Lambourn, who bids to become the latest to complete the Epsom-Curragh double, a feat previously achieved by Ballydoyle greats like Galileo, High Chaparral, Camelot, Australia and Auguste Rodin. That said, not all O’Brien Derby winners have backed it up in Ireland, with the likes of Ruler Of The World, Wings Of Eagles and Anthony Van Dyck falling short in their follow-up bids.
On official ratings, Lambourn (120) has more in common with those who were beaten at the Curragh than with the elite few who did the double. His Epsom success owed plenty to a tactically perfect front-running ride from Wayne Lordan, and it’s unlikely Ryan Moore will get such an easy time of things up front this time.
He’s clearly talented, but at short odds, Lambourn could be worth opposing.
Irish Derby tips & predictions
Aidan O’Brien, who is seeking a record-extending 17th win in the Curragh classic, accounts for half of the field, while hopes of a third British-trained winner in five years rest on the shoulders of Ralph Beckett, who saddles two runners, and Charlie Johnston.
Can Lambourn complete a Derby double? Our expert is going against the Epsom winner.
- NAP: Tennessee Stud @ 13/2
- Next Best: Pride Of Arras @ 8/1
Stud to turn on the charm
Tennessee Stud produced a career-best when finishing third in the Epsom Derby for Joseph O’Brien, who knows this race inside out, having ridden Camelot and Australia to victory before training Latrobe to win in 2018.
Held up in rear, the son of Wootton Bassett did best of those coming from off the pace at Epsom, making up ground smartly along the rail in the closing stages. That performance strongly suggested he can thrive over this 1m4f trip.
As a juvenile, he showed promise with two wins from four starts, and his defeats came behind high-quality opposition in Puppet Master and Hotazhell. He shaped as though needing the run when reappearing in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown, but left that form well behind with a big step forward at Epsom.
Now third time back, he looks primed to peak. If the leaders begin racing early off the home bend, Tennessee Stud’s proven stamina could come to the fore, and he’ll be staying on strongly under Dylan Browne McMonagle.
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Beckett’s charge can restore Pride
Pride of Arras failed to justify his status as the second favourite at Epsom but it may be wise to forgive that run from the previously unbeaten son of New Bay.
He got an early bump, travelled wide and didn’t seem to handle Epsom’s undulations coming into the home straight as he beat just one rival home.
It may be better to judge him on his Dante win at York that preceded it. He moved smoothly into contention on the Knavesmire and powered home and on that running he is well worth another tilt at this Classic trip.
His Epsom showing was too poor to be true and while he has to improve on his York win, he might be capable of doing that for the trainer who won this race in 2022.
- Brand new sportsbook launched, offering far more than just horse racing
- Benefit from the unique Tote dividend as an alternative to normal fixed odds betting
