Gamble on Jan Vermeer continues Jan Vermeer has been heavily backed for the Investec Derby for the second time in four days. On Friday he replaced stablemate St Nicholas Abbey as favourite for the Epsom Classic and is now as short as 13-8 with Victor Chandler. Sky bet offered 5-2 about Aidan O'Brien's charge on Monday morning but after cutting him to 9/4 when the six-day acceptors were unveiled, they took further evasive action in the afternoon are now go 7-4. totesport are 7-4 from 5-2 with Blue Square, Labrokes and William Hill the same price from 9-4. Betfred, Paddy Power, Stan James and Coral have also cut Jan Vermeer but offer a top-price of 2-1. In contrast stablemate St Nicholas Abbey is proving friendless and is out to 9-2 with totesport although at 1500 BST he was trading at 10-1 on Betfair. Matt Doyle of Sky Bet said: "Johnny Murtagh is keeping us waiting with regards a decision on his Derby mount but the market vibes are pointing strongly to Jan Vermeer after further significant support." David Stevens of Coral added: "Aidan O'Brien may have four leading contenders in the Derby betting, but punters only want to know one horse, and the support for Jan Vermeer suggests we may not have to worry about the ante post liabilities on St Nicholas Abbey." Workforce has also been popular with Sir Michael Stoute's Dante runner-up cut by several firms. He is now a general 6-1 chance although Ladbrokes, totesport, Paddy Power and Victor Chandler offer 7s.
