Derby news: Darsi looks almost certain to start favourite to become the first horse since Montjeu in 1999 to complete the French-Irish Derby double at the Curragh on Sunday.
Any available 7 to 2 about the Aga Khan-owned colt was quickly snapped up yesterday and he is now a rock-solid 3 to 1 market leader for a Budweiser Derby that bookmakers believe could turn into a French benefit.
A total of three horses trained at Chantilly are expected to be among the field declared at this morning's final forfeit stage and the Cashmans firm have cut the odds of a French-trained winner to 4 to 5 from evens.
"There has been plenty of support all week for the Andre Fabre-trained Gentlewave and with the money for Darsi as well, we are odds-on about the French winning," said the Cashmans spokesman Joseph Burke. "After what we have seen it is looking pretty likely that Darsi will start favourite for the Derby. We were best price about him but that has quickly gone," he added.
Darsi was one of four supplementary entries into the race on Tuesday and there was good news yesterday about the ground for the Epsom runner-up Dragon Dancer who will not want the surface to be too quick.
"We have perfect ground. The Derby course is beautiful. It is good ground and with a few showers forecast there is no need to go near it much," said the Curragh manager Paul Hensey. "It looks like a clear run to the weekend and the Met Office are very optimistic about the weather."
One man who will be experiencing the Derby for the first time is the Cork-born jockey Wayne Lordan who will team up with another supplementary entry Cougar Bay from the David Wachman yard. Cougar Bay has been backed in some quarters into 20 to 1 and Lordan said: "I'm delighted to get this big race opportunity. The horse will run well but it looks a tough race."
Tomorrow's Group One feature is the Audi Pretty Polly Stakes which will have a field of seven headed by last year's first two, Alexander Goldrun and Red Bloom, after yesterday's final declaration. Ardbrae Lady and Queen Cleopatra will represent the three-year-old crop in a race that also includes the 2004 Moyglare winner Chelsea Rose and John Oxx's Perfect Hedge.
Another star name on view at the Curragh this weekend will be the Irish Leger winner Collier Hill who has been confirmed a runner in the Group Three Attheraces Curragh Cup on Sunday.
Collier Hill will be joined in the race by another cross-channel hope Akarem as the visitors try to dethrone John Oxx's Mkuzi who is trying for three-in-a-row in the one mile and six-furlong event.
Other British-trained runners scheduled to appear over the weekend include both the Kings Stand runner-up Benbaun and Tourandot in the Listed King Of Beers Stakes while Bonus and Rising Shadow are set to run in the valuable Scurrys Handicap.
Cashmans: 3 Darsi, 9-2 Best Name, 5 Dylan Thomas, 6 Best Alibi, Puerto Rico & Gentlewave, 7 Dragon Dancer, 18 Bar.
