Classic clues coming thick and fast

By Alan Conway

After what was an enthralling Punchestown festival the attention now shifts towards the big two classics at Epsom that are not too far away. The flat season really gets motoring from here and everyone will be dissecting the events at York this week in the hope of finding some more Derby and Oaks clues.

The most important trial, from an Irish perspective, was the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial that took place at Leopardstown last Sunday. It saw the second start of the season for Ballydoyle’s Group 1 winning juvenile Recital.

Under the guidance of jockey Kieren Fallon for the first time the Montjeu colt managed to get the job done in workman like style. Beating his stable mates Memphis Tennessee and Regent Street is not Derby winning form but his chance at Epsom has to be taken with a longer term eye.

Clearly he is highly thought of down Tipperary way. He made his debut in the same maiden that O’ Brien used to introduce the world to Fame And Glory. Recital also won the same Group 1 that Fame And Glory won at the backend of last season. So he has the talent to be a Derby contender but can he be a Derby winner?

In watching the Derrinstown again I didn’t immediately think that I had just seen the 2011 Derby winner. Although he travelled well during the race and quickened pass his rivals to win he was expected to do all that. There wasn’t the “woosh” moment that the genuine top notchers give off.

Another trait that put me off was his high head carriage. Granted this is a trait that some of the Montjeu progeny have but it is a worry nonetheless. He doesn’t look the most straightforward of rides and on a track like Epsom where the contours of the course will test even the most well balanced of horses having a horse who needs to be kidded and cajoled along is hardly a plus.

Having said all that O’Brien believes that he is a genuine Derby contender. He targets the Ballysax/Derrinstown trial route with what he considers to be the main Ballydoyle contender. Horses like Galileo, High Chaparral, Yeats and Fame And Glory have all taken that route before tasting more Group 1 glory.

Recital is currently third in the ante post betting for the Derby behind Carlton House and World Domination. That is roughly where he should be. However if his talked about stable mate Seville were to beat the front pair in the market in the Dante tomorrow afternoon then it could force the Coolmore think tank into a review of their Derby plans.

As far as the Oaks is concerned events at York will give us a clearer picture. Arizona Jewel would appear to be the main Henry Cecil challenger and we will know a lot more after her run this week. One horse who did shine last week was Wonders of Wonder. The Kingmambo filly has only had three starts in her career and there could be even more improvement to come from her.

By Alan Conway