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Bolshoi Ballet contests Belmont's Derby Invitational

Bolshoi BalletBolshoi Ballet
© Photo Healy Racing

Bolshoi Ballet bids to bag another big-race victory Stateside in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont on Saturday.

Winner of both the Ballysax Stakes and the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown in the spring, Aidan O’Brien’s charge disappointed when a hot favourite for the Derby at Epsom in June, but bounced back to land the Belmont Derby in New York the following month.

The Galileo colt was forced to miss an intended outing in the Prix Niel at ParisLongchamp last weekend, prompting connections to send him on a third trans-Atlantic mission.

“Having travelled to Longchamp last Sunday, he never got the opportunity to run in the Prix Niel because of a minor passport irregularity,” jockey Ryan Moore told Betfair.

“That was disappointing, as an Arc trial like the Niel is always a good opportunity to see where a horse stands with the big race in mind.

“It wasn’t to be though, so Aidan has sent him here as an alternative.”

Bolshoi Ballet could finish only fourth behind the Joseph O’Brien-trained State Of Rest in the Saratoga Derby on his most recent appearance, but Moore is confident he is is better than he showed on that occasion.

He added: “This will be his third run in the States in three months and I think a return to Belmont Park will suit

“We won the Belmont Derby over a mile and a quarter in July and he then dropped back in trip when fourth to State Of Rest in the Saratoga Derby. You can put a line through that run as the ground was firm and a bit rough following their long season.

“Actually, you can excuse his only two bad runs this season at Saratoga and Epsom, when he was struck into.”

Bolshoi Ballet’s seven rivals in what is a ‘win and you’re in’ for the Breeders’ Cup Turf include Charlie Appleby’s British raider Yibir, who won the Great Voltigeur at York last month and will be ridden by Jamie Spencer.

Assessing the opposition, Moore said: “Yibir has to be respected. The placed horses in the Voltigeur — The Mediterranean and Youth Spirit — ran OK in the St Leger.

“Tokyo Gold has to reverse Belmont Derby form with us, while Solider Rising was three lengths in front of us in Saratoga and he’s not without a chance.

“I don’t know much about the home challenge, but they have struggled on the turf against the visitors this season.

“I’m drawn eight of eight, but Belmont is a very fair track and that’s not a concern. All said, my lad’s a good mover with plenty of potential and he should go very well.”