King Of Rome attracts support for Epsom Derby Johnny Murtagh´s decision to partner King Of Rome in the Epsom Derby on Saturday has seen strong support for the Aidan O´Brien trained colt. The Montjeu colt, runner-up in the Lingfield Derby Trial last month, was cut to 12-1 from 20-1 with Blue Square following O´Brien´s announcement on Wednesday, with stablemate Frozen Fire pushed out to as high as 25-1 with the same firm. Alessandro Volta, ridden by Murtagh, beat King Of Rome by three quarters of a length in the Lingfield Derby Trial while Washington Irving, who is a maiden, finished six lengthssecond to Casual Conquest in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown last month. O´Brien said on Wednesday: "Johnny will be on King Of Rome. Mick rides Frozen Fire and David McCabe will be on Bashkirov. "Seamie Heffernan and Colm O´Donoghue will be our other Derby jockeys but it will be tomorrow before we decide which of them rides which - Washington Irving or Alessandro Volta." Murtagh has won the Derby on Sinndar (2000), High Chaparral (2002) and Motivator (2005). Mick Kinane, who will be seeking his third win in the race having scored on Commander In Chief (1993) and Galileo (2001), rides O´Brien´s Dante Stakes runner-up Frozen Fire.
