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De Sousa hoping for big run from Red

Sat 25th Jun 2016, 11:03

Red VerdonRed Verdon
© Photo Healy Racing

Silvestre de Sousa anticipates that Red Verdon will get more involved in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh than he did in the English version.

Ed Dunlop 's colt was supplemented for the Epsom feature on the back of a couple of handicap victories and did well to finish sixth, 12 lengths behind the winner Harzand

Harzand is in opposition again on Saturday, but connections have opted to shell out more cash and add Red Verdon to this line-up too.

Dunlop is hoping a return to a more conventional track will see his charge in a better light, as is De Sousa, who said in his Betway blog: "Things didn't necessarily go his way in the Derby as he didn't get the smoothest of passages.

"I suppose he was just a bit green and inexperienced and he could never really get involved. The Curragh is a proper flat galloping track and that should play more to his strengths.

"It's hard to be confident as it's the Irish Derby, but I'm hopeful he will get a hell of a lot closer to the leading fancies.

"He goes on any ground and has come out of Epsom well.

"Harzand will obviously be a tough nut to crack and looked very good at Epsom. It's a shame that there is no US Army Ranger, but you have to respect whatever Aidan O'Brien runs and Idaho looks sure to be bang there."