Trainer Dermot Weld has a strong chance of success in Limerick with Harbour Wind. Photo: Seb Daly/Sportsfile
The Irish Derby will be the only show in town next weekend, and Epsom form looks set to be put to the test as English Derby runner-up Ambiente Friendly renews acquaintances with third-placed Los Angeles.
Ambiente Friendly beat all bar the brilliant City Of Troy home earlier this month and James Fanshawe’s colt will bid to go one better at the Curragh tomorrow week under Rob Havlin.
Havlin’s mount, which still needs to be supplemented for the Group One contest, is vying for favouritism with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Los Angeles around 5/4 and his rider cannot wait to hit the Kildare track.
“He seems to have come out of the Epsom race even more relaxed than he went into it. He’s growing up the whole time and each race he’s had has been a progression and not a regression,” Havlin said.
“He’s learned something and taken something from it. He nearly over raced a tad up the hill at Epsom, but it helped to get him a good position.
“I was mindful of that coming down the hill that his stamina wasn’t going to run out. He stayed well but the winner just stayed that bit better.”
There is a different Derby on the horizon today with the Ulster (3.55) equivalent taking centre stage at Down Royal, as Jim Bolger bids to continue winning ways with top-weight Glor Tire.
The daughter of Teofilo also bids to join a select band of fillies to win a Derby as she attempts to notch a fifth success in the last six weeks, with Gabriella Hill taking off a welcome 10lbs in this €100,000 premier handicap.
Last year’s winner Tower Of London has gone on to accumulate more than €2m in prize money in the 12 months since, although there is unlikely to be something of that class in this year’s renewal.
This looks wide open on paper with the Natalia Lupini-trained Barnso, a nice winner at Fairyhouse last month, a tentative selection as Wesley Joyce takes off a crucial 5lbs.
There is also racing at Limerick today where the Listed Martin Molony Stakes (4.05) sees some smart types rubbing shoulders.
O’Brien’s hat-trick-seeking London City makes use of the three-year-old allowance as the Justify colt receives 14lbs from Harbour Wind but that may not be enough if Dermot Weld’s charge shows no rustiness on his seasonal debut.