Can Pride Of Arras Overcome Epsom Setback in Irish Derby? The first three finishers in the Derby are a step closer to a rematch, with Lambourn, Lazy Griff and Tennessee Stud all set to take their chance in Sunday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (4.10) at the Curragh. Aidan O'Brien has won the Classic 15 times since the turn of the century, but Ralph Beckett knows how to win it too, landing the Group 1 contest in 2022 with Westover under Colin Keane. His Pride Of Arras was sent off at 4/1 for the English equivalent but never landed a blow. Could he make amends on Sunday? Novibet Betting Offer If you already have a Noibet account, check out more of the best betting sites and casino bonuses The lead-up to The Derby Pride Of Arras is a son of New Bay and he has a lovely middle-distance pedigree. He's closely related to Patient Dream who won at between 7f-1m2f, and Latin Verse who won from 1m4f up to around 2m, while he's a half-brother to 1m4f winner Sweet Fantasy and his dam won over 1m4f. Clearly, his breeding would suggest that the Irish Derby trip is right up his street. He got his career started with an easy victory in a Sandown maiden over 1m last August, a race that has worked out well with the second and third going on to win since. On his return in May, Pride Of Arras was pitched straight into Group 2 company at York and at odds of 18/1, he caused a mini upset when comfortably landing the Dante, seeing off some individuals who had Group 1 experience in the process. As a consequence, he was backed from 50/1 into 4/1 for The Derby and many felt he was the horse to beat. He was given stall 16 on the day, so tactics were going to be vital. Pride Of Arras raced far too keenly from his wide berth in the early stages of the contest and was forced wide around the bend turning in for home. It's fair to say he didn't get a fair crack of the whip on a quirky track and he is better than his finishing position of 17th, that's for sure. Can Pride Of Arras win the Irish Derby? Unlike Epsom, where much luck in running is required, the Curragh is a fairer track and with a smaller field here, Pride Of Arras will have no excuses on this occasion and it's likely we will see a much better showing. There's no doubt that he will stay the trip and if the current favourite Lambourn employs the same tactics he did when landing the English equivalent when taking the race by the scruff of the neck, Pride Of Arras should get a nice pitch in behind and there's a better chance that he will settle. As Ryan Moore was not on Lambourn at Epsom, perhaps the riders in behind gave the winner too much early leeway. He is obviously still the horse to beat, but he might not get it all his own way up top this time.
