Irish Derby: Murtagh full of confidence in rising star Coen
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
High Definition will face 10 rivals in the Dubai Duty Dree Irish Derby on Saturday.
A blood disorder meant the winter Cazoo Derby favourite missed his intended reappearance in the Lingfield Derby Trial and he instead returned in the Dante at York, making late progress to finish a close third to Hurricane Lane.
Aidan O’Brien was ultimately represented only by Bolshoi Ballet at Epsom, with High Definition waiting for the Curragh Classic.
Will the Dante hold the key to the Irish Derby? Angus McNae analyses what happened at York
The Galileo colt is one of five runners for O’Brien, along with Arturo Toscanini, Van Gogh, Matchless and Wordsworth.
Mojo Star outran odds of 50-1 at Epsom to be beaten only by Adayar and bids to go one place better for Richard Hannon.
The aforementioned Hurricane Lane was immediately behind the Hannon runner and renews rivalry for Derby-winning trainer Charlie Appleby, with fourth home Mac Swiney running for Jim Bolger.
Martyn Meade’s Lone Eagle is another challenger from Britain, while Donnacha O’Brien will saddle Fernando Vichi and Johnny Murtagh calls on Earlswood, winner of the Gallinule Stakes.
Johnny Murtagh has full faith in Ben Coen as the teenager prepares for the biggest ride of his short career to date on Earlswood.
Coen could hardly be heading to the Curragh at a better time, having ridden Murtagh’s Create Belief to victory in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot last week.
In former multiple Classic-winning jockey Murtagh, the 19-year-old could have no better tutor – but the Kildare trainer admits Coen is far ahead of where he was at the same stage of their respective careers.
“I keep telling him he’s much better than Johnny Murtagh was at 19,” he said.
“He’s much cooler, he’s much calmer and he’s much more on the ball.
“He’s a very nice fella, he rides very well. That was his first time on the big stage at Ascot last week, and he seemed to thrive on it. That’s what you have to do when you are under pressure.
“I think he’s the real deal. I keep forgetting he’s only 19 – and he’s only going to get better, riding these good horses in these big races.”
Earlswood booked his ticket for the Derby on Saturday by winning the Gallinule Stakes, and Murtagh expects the step up to a mile and a half to bring out even more improvement on his return to the Curragh.
He added: “You have to stay to win at the Curragh, the last three furlongs are a long way home – it’s fair though, (and) the best horse usually wins.
“Ballydoyle normally run four or five every year and make sure it’s a test. I think our horse will get the trip well.
“The favourite (High Definition) looks like he’ll improve for York, but I think the Epsom Derby was a very good race this year. It was a properly run race, and there didn’t look to be many hard-luck stories.
“High Definition will have to be everything they say he is, and he’ll have to improve a good deal from York.
“The Irish Derby is open – and it’s strong.”
Related posts
You're on the list to receive Gavin's tips!
Cheltenham: will these favourites be bankers or blowouts?
Derham announces retirement of ‘magnificent’ Brentford Hope
Timeform: the best-handicapped horses at the Cheltenham Festival
Paul Nicholls 2026 Cheltenham Festival stable tour
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £50 in free bets with Paddy Power
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets with Virgin Bet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £5 Get £15 in free bets with Betano
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Get £30 in free bets when you bet £5 with Coral
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets with BetVictor
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved