Racing: Aidan O’Brien is excited by his Epsom Derby squad as he prepares to challenge for a first win in the premier Classic since High Chaparral in 2002, while jockey Kieran Fallon is sure the winner will come for the Ballydoyle stables.
O'Brien dominates the betting for the blue riband on June 5th, with dazzling Racing Post Trophy winner St Nicholas Abbey spearheading four major chances.
“It is hard to put them all into an order. They are all very exciting horses in their own right," O’Brien said. “Everybody wants to breed a Derby winner, there is only one Epsom Derby every year and we are in the lucky position this year that we have a nice team of horses and that we also have the French Derby the following day.
“It is difficult to say which of them will run at Epsom, and I don’t want to mislead anybody.
“St Nicholas Abbey was always going to the (2000) Guineas and the Derby, and that has not changed.
“Midas Touch was always down for the Derrinstown and then the intention was to go to the Derby, while Cape Blanco and Jan Vermeer have the option of either France or Epsom.
“St Nicholas Abbey and Midas Touch are the two definites (for Epsom) at the moment so long as all is well. Cape Blanco and Jan Vermeer are both possible.
“Cape Blanco was just ready to start when he went to York for the Dante, where they went an even gallop on fast ground.
“He won very easily and idled a bit in front. He was very sore after the race, but that was just a superficial cut really.
“Jan Vermeer was very impressive at the Curragh (on Sunday), it was a rush to get him there and he was just ready to start."
Fallon has no ride in the race but and doesn't expect that to change.
"Aidan likes to use his own boys. They do a lot of work and are in there seven days a week and they work hard and deserve to get the opportunities," he told Racing UK. "Colm (O'Donoghue), when he comes over, does well for Aidan, and Seamie Heffernan. He has his team and I don't know how many he's going to run yet.
"Any of his first four look like they could win the race. He has a strong hand in the Derby and I think the winner has got to come out of his yard, you couldn't look much further."