2024 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby: runner-by-runner guide and tip

Trainer: James Fanshawe. Jockey: Rab Havlin.

Hugely impressive winner of Lingfield Derby Trial and proved that was no fluke by travelling powerfully through the Epsom feature before only finding City Of Troy too strong at the business end. Just over three lengths in front of that day, so every chance of going one better providing the race doesn’t become tactical, and he's been supplemented for €100,000.

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Declan McDonogh.

Only a length behind in the Leopardstown Derby Trial but dropped right out at Epsom having led early. Likely does stay 1m4f, so although he has to conclusively prove his stamina, a more prominent showing here wouldn’t surprise. 

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Wayne Lordan.

Progressive at two, winning a Group 3 at Leopardstown (heavy) impressively under a positive ride. Weak in the betting ahead of Chester Vase return, despite being the choice of Ryan Moore, and duly shaped like he needed the outing in third. Taken out of the Queen’s Vase because of fast ground so probably doesn’t want conditions to dry out too much, but has clear upside over middle distances if he is allowed to take his chance. 

Trainer: Ger Lyons. Jockey: Colin Keane.

Eye-catching return behind Los Angeles in the Derby Trial Stakes but not so good upped to 1m4f next time, and the form of that two-length second to Portland wasn’t done any favours by the winner’s subsequent 7¾-length defeat in Hampton Court Stakes. Unexposed over middle distances but is another who needs to raise his game to trouble the top two.

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Ryan Moore.

Shown improved form on every start, most recently a fine third behind City Of Troy in the Betfred Derby. Shapes like more of a grinder over this trip than a horse with real gears, so wouldn’t want this to become tactical if he’s to have any chance of reversing Epsom form with Ambiente Friendly. More to come and looks sure to go close, at least.

Trainer: Roger Varian. Jockey: James Doyle.

Takes a huge jump in class after running away with a novice event at Leicester. Impressive that day and clearly held in high regard by connections but the form of that success was done no favours by the runner-up, who was well beaten in a handicap off 77 next time. Could be anything but will need to be if he’s to mix it with the top two here.

Trainer: David Menuisier. Jockey: Oisin Murphy.

Brother to top-class Sealiway; Group 1 winner at two and best effort since when beaten around 4½ lengths in the Prix Du Jockey Club. Shapes like he’s well worth a crack at this trip but best form all on soft ground so the weather could play a part in his prospects.

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle.

No major improvement for the addition of a visor when beaten almost 10 lengths in the King Edward VII Stakes. Thrashed by Ambient Friendly at Lingfield before that and hard to fancy here.

The standout form contenders are Betfred Derby second and third - AMBIENTE FRIENDLY and Los Angeles -and, with no City Of Troy to worry about, it’s easy enough to see them dominating here. Providing this doesn't get tactical, preference is for James Fanshawe’s charge, who travelled so well at Epsom and he could just have too many gears for Los Angeles, who looks more of a grinder.  

The unexposed

Matsuri

is a fascinating contender but he’ll need to be pretty special to lower the colours of the top two, while Grosvenor Square looks has place potential providing conditions don’t quicken markedly.