Racing: An already open Derby betting market has got even more unsettled after an underwhelming workout by the 2,000 Guineas winner Refuse To Bend at the Curragh yesterday morning.
"Satisfactory," was trainer Dermot Weld's description of the gallop which saw Refuse To Bend work over nine furlongs with three stable companions.
The phrase didn't cut much ice with the bookmakers, however, and Refuse To Bend, who had been clear favourite for Epsom earlier in the week, drifted alarmingly in the betting.
Paddy Power moved the colt out to 100 to 30 (from 11 to 4) and the Aidan O'Brien-trained Brian Boru is now their 3 to 1 new favourite for racing's Blue Riband next Saturday.
"Refuse To Bend has been friendless for the last few days and there have been rumours that he hasn't been working too well. He is very much on the drift and there has been support for Brian Boru. It's nothing major but there has been support," said the Powers spokesman, Charles Lee.
Dermot Weld, however, insisted that he is not concerned about the unbeaten Refuse To Bend who remains on course for Epsom. "He is not a particularly good work horse at home and he didn't run away from the others and win by a distance. But you have got to know him. He is not spectacular and doesn't do sensational work," he said.
"The plan is to run at Epsom and I just hope the ground isn't too firm. We will keep him ticking over until then. Whether or not he will stay a mile and a half I don't know. We will have to leave it until Epsom to find out because it is too late to find out now. On pedigree he has a chance but no one can know for certain," Weld added.
Irish-trained horses continue to dominate the betting for the Derby and the bookies believe the initiative may be swinging back to Ballydoyle with Aidan O'Brien looking for a historic third Derby success in a row.
Paddy Power rate the trainer just 7 to 4 to come out on top with his quartet of likely challengers and it is just 7 to 1 that he will double up in Friday's Oaks. Yesterday is a clear favourite for the fillies classic.
There are no overseas challengers for tomorrow's Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly with Dalakhani a red hot favourite to beat just six opponents in the French Derby. The race is off at 4.10 and will be shown on BBC2.
Dalakhani renews opposition with Super Celebre who he beat in the Prix Lupin earlier in the month. The O'Brien colt Alberto Giacometti finished third on that occasion.
Frankie Dettori will ride the Sheikh Mohammed-owned Papineau but the premier French Classic looks to be dominated by Dalakhani who will have the services of the pacemaker Diyapour. Dalakhani's Belgian born rider Christophe Soumillon is on a roll having won both Guineas at Longchamp.
