More questions than answers from puzzling Irish Derby
J A McGrath
2 July, 2018
The G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh is a very different race to Epsom’s G1 Investec Derby, but it is traditionally looked upon as the place where a temporary pecking order becomes more formalised.
A right-handed Irish galloping track against the sharp twists and turns of an idiosyncratic English course — what a contrast! — but form analysts are constantly shifting through the various clues to establish accurate ratings.
Godolphin’s Masar was an authoritative winner of the Derby at Epsom, and the Mark Johnston-trained Dee Ex Bee, who had run honourably in Derby ‘trials’ at Epsom and Chester, was a very good second.
Unfortunately, for those requiring answers in assembling a Classic overview, Dee Ex Bee appeared to not run his race in Ireland on Saturday.
He had finished three lengths ahead of Saxon Warrior (4th) at Epsom, yet this time he was seventh, over four lengths behind the same colt.
Johnston believes it was a combination of the ground and the Curragh itself that led to such a dramatic reversal of form in the space of four weeks.
“It was obvious Dee Ex Bee was never really travelling, and we would put that down to not acting particularly well on the ground, especially on the downhill parts of the track,” the trainer explained.
Johnston plans to press ahead with original plans that feature the G1 Doncaster St Leger as the colt’s long-term target.
The three Aidan O’Brien-trained runners, who ran at Epsom, finished in the same order at the Curragh, though at different intervals: Saxon Warrior (4th Epsom / 3rd Curragh), Delano Roosevelt (6th / 4th), and The Pentagon (8th / 5th).
Godolphin’s Old Persian, backing up eight days after his Royal Ascot triumph, finished sixth after racing in mid-division to the home turn.
The race was a triumph for young trainer Joseph O’Brien, who sent out Latrobe to win in the colours of Australian Lloyd Williams, also the owner of Rekindling, who had given the 25-year-old victory in the G1 Melbourne Cup last November.
