Yeats on course

Aidan O'Brien reported Yeats to be "fine" after the Epsom Derby favourite worked at Ballydoyle yesterday partnered by jockey …

Aidan O'Brien reported Yeats to be "fine" after the Epsom Derby favourite worked at Ballydoyle yesterday partnered by jockey Jamie Spencer.

The 5 to 2 market leader for the Epsom Classic had been stiff following a routine workout last Friday, but O'Brien was happier with the colt's condition by Sunday.

"He cantered this morning and everything was fine," said O'Brien. Yeats is likely to do his final price of work on Friday before the June 5th contest.

Plans for his stablemate Meath have yet to be decided after he overturned the much-hyped Derby gamble Cairdeas at the Curragh on Sunday in the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes.

READ MORE

Reporting the colt to have come out of the race well, O'Brien added: "He is a possible for Epsom but he could well go for the French Derby."

Epsom second favourite Snow Ridge was put through his paces by Ted Durcan in a workout in Newmarket yesterday.

The 2,000 Guineas runner-up will be Frankie Dettori's mount in the colts' Classic, with Kerrin McEvoy set to ride Godolphin's number two Rule Of Law, the totesport Dante Stakes runner-up.

Dettori, who rode work for the first time yesterday since he broke a finger at Goodwood last week, said: "Snow Ridge is a very well-balanced colt, straightforward and with a good turn of foot."

Snow Ridge and Rule Of Law could yet be joined by Bull Run at Epsom should connections take the decision to supplement the colt, who arrived from David Loder's yard after winning a conditions race at Epsom last month.

Bull Run will work today but the vibes still seem to be that he may lack the physical maturity of his team-mates. "He is a light horse who needs to put some muscle on and I think we will see the best of him next year," trainer Saeed bin Suroor said.

Luca Cumani will make a decision regarding Pukka's participation in the Derby after the colt works at Newmarket today.

Derby betting: William Hill: 5-2 Yeats, 3-1 Snow Ridge, 7-2 North Light, 10-1 Day Flight (with a run), 12-1 American Post, 14-1 Bull Run (to be supplemented), Let The Lion Roar, Percussionist, 16-1 Rule Of Law, Salford City, 20-1 Ecomium, 33-1 Cairdeas, Meath, Gatwick (to be supplemented), 40-1 Book Of Kings, 66-1 bar.

Coral: 9-4 Yeats, 100-30 Snow Ridge, 4-1 North Light, 10-1 American Post, 12-1 Salford City, 14-1 Rule Of Law, Let The Lion Roar, Percussionist, 16-1 Meath, 25-1 Cairdeas, 33-1 Book Of Kings, Duke Of Venice, Moscow Ballet, 50-1 bar.

Ladbrokes: 9-4 Yeats, 11-4 Snow Ridge, 7-2 North Light, 12-1 American Post, Percussionist, Rule Of Law, 14-1 Salford City, 16-1 Let The Lion Roar, 40-1 Elshadi, 66-1 bar.