Irish Derby Preview: Can International Raiders Strike Gold at Curragh? The Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby takes place at the Curragh on Sunday afternoon, one of the highlights of the summer season at Co Kildare venue. Aidan O'Brien may have a record 16 winners in the Irish Derby, including the last two with Auguste Rodin and Los Angeles, but this race has also been good to the raiding party. Hurricane Run (2005, Andre Fabre), Jack Hobbs (2015, John Gosden), Hurricane Lane (2021, Charlie Appleby) and Westover (2022, Ralph Beckett) have all scored this century, providing three UK-based winners and one for France. Could it be three international winners in five years? We're taking a look at the trio of raiders amongst the 10-strong Curragh cast list following the final confirmation stage. Novibet Betting Offer If you already have a Novibet account, check out more of the best betting sites and casino bonuses Lazy Griff Charlie Johnston has established his position since taking over the license from his father, Mark, and the Middleham trainer has a hugely talented performer to look forward with in Lazy Griff. The Protectionist colt signed off last season with a Group 3 win in France and began this term by finishing second to Lambourn in the Chester Vase in May. Despite that, he was a 50/1 chance in the Derby at Epsom where he stepped up once more and, again, played second fiddle to Lambourn despite briefly threatening the all-the-way winner at the furlong pole. Johnston is keen on a rematch in Ireland but he admits that he wants to see some rain failing. "This is a horse we're playing the long game with for this year and next year, and if we feel the ground is too quick, then we'll save him for another day," he told the Nick Luck Podcast this week. Johnston expects to walk the track on Sunday before making a final decision. Pride Of Arras Ralph Beckett won this race in 2022 with Westover after he finished third behind Desert Crown at Epsom and now the Kimpton Down Stables trainer is set to launch a two-pronged attack with Epsom disappointment Pride Of Arras spearheading his assault. The New Bay colt was a smooth winner of York's Dante Stakes in May on only his second career start. He headed for Epsom unbeaten and rated the 4/1 second-favourite for Derby glory but things didn't go his way. He got a bump early, was forced to race wide and ran too keenly in the hands of Rossa Ryan. He didn't appear to handle the track entering the home run and was soon out the back of the field, beating just one rival home. That run is probably worth overlooking. The more conventional nature of the Curragh will surely be to his liking, akin to York in lots of ways despite going the opposite way around. Sir Dinadan Beckett's second string in the race, the Camelot colt finished second, four lengths behind stablemate Amiloc in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on his previous start five weeks ago. His only win to date came in a Pontefract novice over 1m2f back in October, but he certainly hinted at underlying talent with that performance. A little rusty in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown in April's comeback run, he cut out the running at Goodwood, but was powerless to prevent the 11/10 favourite Amiloc going by him a furlong out. On that evidence he looks more than capable of making his mark in pattern-race company, though whether he can make the requisite leap forward to win this Classic contest is open to questioning.
