Aidan O’Brien sparks dramatic Derby gamble with Ryan Moore comments ahead of £1.5million Epsom blockbuster
AIDAN O’BRIEN has sparked a massive Derby gamble with his comments about Ryan Moore before the £1.5million Epsom blockbuster.
O’Brien’s longtime market leader The Lion In Winter drifted markedly after his poor Dante showing earlier this month before being backed in again.
While the move for that horse saw O’Brien’s hugely exciting two-time Group 3 winner Delacroix move the other way.
However, Delacroix’s striking manner of victory in two runs this season and his work at home has led O’Brien to speculate who Moore could choose.
Moore, as the Ballydoyle No1 jockey, always has the pick of the best O’Brien horses.
The buzz ahead of this year’s race will be all about who he opts for ahead of the world’s most prestigious Flat race on June 7.
Bookies Betfair make him 4-6 to choose Delacroix, 11-10 The Lion In Winter and 25-1 Lambourn, all three of O’Brien’s intended runners.
The Ballydoyle boss said: “Ryan will make his mind up as late as he can.
“Obviously, I’d imagine it’s between Delacroix and The Lion In Winter.
“At the moment, I would say it would be hard for him not to ride Delacroix, but that’s not to say he won’t.
“He’ll have to see how The Lion In Winter is, where they are both drawn and stuff like that.”
That sparked another switch at the top of the market, that also includes Ralph Beckett’s brilliant Dante winner Pride Of Arras and Charlie Appleby’s 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court.
Coral’s David Stevens said: “The Lion In Winter had been backed into clear favouritism for the Derby despite his defeat in the Dante, but Aidan O’Brien’s comments that he thought it would be hard for Ryan Moore not to ride Delacroix – while not a definitive jockey booking – has seen the Leopardstown Trial winner take over again at the head of the betting.”
While Ladbrokes’ Alex Apati commented: “All eyes will be on Ryan Moore’s next move ahead of the Epsom Derby, but the current odds suggest he’ll have the pick of the two favourites in Delacroix and The Lion In Winter.”
Derby odds via Coral
5-2 Delacroix
7-2 The Lion In Winter
4-1 Pride Of Arras, Ruling Court
10-1 Damysus
16-1 Lambourn
20-1 Stanhope Gardens
25-1 Wimbledon Hawkeye
33-1 Puppet Master, Stay True
40-1 Bar
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