Ballydoyle assembling strong Irish Derby challenge

Aidan O'Brien is looking forward to the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on June 28 with a strong team of three-year-old's willing to take on Epsom winner Sea The Stars.

Ballydoyle trained horses occupied the next four placings behind the John Oxx-trained Investec Derby victor, and O'Brien told At The Races: "We were obviously very disappointed we didn't win it but we were very happy because all our horses ran well. Mick (Kinane) gave the winner a great ride on the day."

"Everybody has an opinion but the reality is we won't really know what could have happened if circumstances were different. All we can hope for is that the horses are healthy in three weeks' time, and see if anybody has doubts or concerns after this race."

"All those that ran at Epsom and Chantilly are in the mix for the Curragh, the Eclipse and the new French Derby (Grand Prix de Paris) at Longchamp. Rip is one of those very special workers at home with a high cruising speed, when he gets into fifth gear his body slows down and he finds it easy.

"Sometimes in races that have a muddling pace he never gets into fifth gear. Johnny (Murtagh) said he was only getting to top gear at the line at Epsom. Hopefully some day we'll get it right with him, said O'Brien"

Cashmans rate Sea The Stars an odds-on shot to confirm placings with Epsom runner-up Fame And Glory should they renew rivalry at the Curragh later this month.

Sea The Stars became the first horse for 20 years to complete the 2,000 Guineas/Investec Derby double when recording a length and three-quarters verdict over the Aidan O'Brien-trained colt. The Cork bookmakers are convinced the supremacy shown by John Oxx's charge is likely to be repeated.

In match betting on the Irish Derby, Sea The Stars is 4-6 to confirm placings with Fame And Glory, who is quoted at 11-10. "They could run the Epsom Derby 100 times and you'd get the same result each and every time no matter what way the race panned out," said Cashmans' spokesman Joe Burke.

"Looking forward to the Irish Derby, Sea The Stars has everything and he'd be favourite in a match bet with any three-year-old on the planet at the moment from seven furlongs to one and a half miles."