Delacroix the new Derby favourite after Aidan O'Brien update
Aidan O'Brien has positioned his horse, Delacroix, as the favorite for the Epsom Derby following a re-evaluation of contenders. Delacroix, having won two races this season, leads the odds, closely followed by The Lion In Winter. O'Brien also considers Lambourn for the Derby after its recent success. Though no decision is made on Ryan Moore's ride, Delacroix is favored due to its performance. This development has caused a shift in betting markets, making Delacroix the choice of Coral's bookmaking firm.
- Aidan O'Brien confirms Delacroix as a leading contender for the Epsom Derby
- Delacroix, previously unbeaten, takes solo-favouritism in the betting odds
- Ryan Moore's final riding choice between Delacroix and The Lion In Winter is pending
Delacroix has been cut into favouritism for the Epsom Derby, after Aidan O'Brien touched on his contenders this morning.
Aidan O'Brien looks set to launch a triple-pronged attack on the Epsom Derby in two weeks time. The Lion In Winter had topped the early betting, despite a sixth-place finish in the Dante Stakes. Delacroix is two-from-two this term, while Lambourn will step up to Group One class following his victory in the Chester Vase.
On Monday, Aidan O'Brien removed both The Lion In Winter and Delacroix from the Prix du Jockey Club field, all-but confirmed their tilts at the Epsom Derby. O'Brien then spoke to the press on Tuesday morning and provided an update on his three contest.
"Delacroix is really well and his two trials went perfectly." O'Brien said. "Everything is going to plan. He's big and powerful and is maturing well. We're all very happy."
"Everything has gone well with The Lion In Winter since the Dante. He's in good form, but we haven't looked for too much off him yet. We had to give him a chance to recover from York. He's done one or two bits, but the main bits of work will be later this week and early next week."
"We're thinking of running Lambourn as well. He's come out of Chester well and we're thinking of letting him take his chance."
When asked which horse Ryan Moore would opt to ride in the race, O'Brien didn't give a definitive answer, but did intimate the direction in which his retained rider could sway.
O'Brien continued, "Ryan (Moore) 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."
This news caused yet another ripple in the open betting market for the 2025 Epsom Derby. Bookmakers Coral were one of a number of firms who cut Delacroix into solo-favouritism, with The Lion In Winter now sitting second in the betting.
Coral spokesperson, David Stevens said on Tuesday morning, "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 Derby Trial winner take over again at the head of the betting."
2000 Guineas winner, Ruling Court and Dante hero, Pride Of Arras also sit prominently in the betting and any one of the four leading contenders could go off as the favourite for this year's Epsom Derby, which takes place on Saturday, July 7th.
Epsom Derby Winner Betting with Coral
5/2 Delacroix, 7/2 The Lion In Winter, 4/1 Ruling Court, 9/2 Pride Of Arras, 10/1 Damysus, 16/1 Lambourn, 20/1 Stanhope Gardens, 25/1 Nightwalker, 25/1 Wimbledon Hawkeye, 33/1 Puppet Master, 33/1 Purview, 33/1 Stay True, 50/1 Sea Scout, 50/1 Tennessee Stud, 50/1 Tornado Alert, 66/1 Lazy Griff, 66/1 Luther, 66/1 Opportunity, 66/1 Tuscan Hills, 100/1 bar
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