Benvenuto Cellini restored as Derby favourite following Constitution River surge

Benvenuto Cellini reclaimed his position at the top of the Betfred Derby betting after Aidan O’Brien suggested there has been no change of plan with his key Classic hopefuls despite a significant move for Constitution River in the Epsom market on Sunday morning.

The master of Ballydoyle had previously hinted the impressive Dee Stakes winner would head to Chantilly for next Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club rather than join the crack team of colts assembled for Epsom a week later.

However, the son of Wootton Bassett was made favourite for the premier Classic by both Paddy Power and Coral following significant support, with stablemate Benvenuto Cellini, who had been the market leader for Epsom since himself winning at Chester, shortening for the French equivalent along with Hawk Mountain.

Speaking at the Curragh on Sunday, a surprised O’Brien said: “I thought everyone was leaning towards the French Derby with Constitution River but I didn’t hear that (the market drift).

“I thought that’s the way (the French Derby) it was going for Constitution River, along with Hawk Mountain and Montreal.

“We are thinking Benvenuto Cellini, Pierre Bonnard and the placed horses in the Dante (Action and Christmas Day) are the ones for Epsom but it could change.”

Constitution River’s Classic claims received a boost when Karl Burke’s Golden Story scored at Goodwood on Saturday, but following O’Brien’s comments the betting for the Derby changed once again with Benvenuto Cellini shortening back into 11-4 market leader and Constitution River available at 7-2 with Paddy Power.

The bookmakers’ spokesman Paul Binfield said: “Our traders have been left scratching their heads after originally making Constitution River favourite this morning following sustained support.

“But then Aidan’s statement that he thought ‘everyone was leaning towards the French Derby’ has meant Benvenuto Cellini is now back at the front of the market with Constitution River joint second favourite given Aidan did add ‘that could all change’.”