Chaucer among Derrinstown runners A high-class field of eight runners has been declared for the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday. The 10-furlong contest is a renowned Classic pointer for major events on both sides of the Irish Sea, and numbers the likes of Sinndar, Galileo, High Chaparral, Alamshar and Yeats on the roll of honour. Twelve months ago Aidan O'Brien struck with Battle Of Marengo and this year he saddles the exciting Geoffrey Chaucer. Unbeaten in two starts, his juvenile campaign culminated in victory in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh in September. The son of Montjeu is around a 16-1 chance for the Investec Derby at Epsom. Leading the opposition is Fascinating Rock for the in-form Dermot Weld. Fifth on his sole outing as a two-year-old, Pat Smullen's mount won a 10-furlong maiden at Leopardstown in April before progressing again to land the Ballysax Stakes at Navan, beating Jim Bolger's Answered, who reopposes. Bolger also runs Mandatario. Ger Lyons will have high hopes for Obliterator, second in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket on his reappearance to the highly regarded True Story and a half-brother to Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Just The Judge. John Oxx's Leopardstown 2,000 Guineas Trial third Ebanoran steps up in trip, with Highly Toxic (Pat Flynn) and Altruistic (Johnny Murtagh) completing the field for the Group Three showpiece.
