Black Bear Island cut for Derby after Curragh workout Aidan O'Brien brought 48 of his string to the Curragh on Sunday for a racecourse gallop ahead of their respective targets in the coming weeks and the most eye-catching of the three lots was Black Bear Island, a Naas maiden winner last August who was cut to 16/1 from 20's with both Boylesports and William Hill for the Epsom Derby, after leading home the second group. The group of 16 travelled a mile with stable jockey Johnny Murtagh riding Age Of Aquarius who finished third as Freemantle under Seanie Levey split the pair, with O'Brien stating after that the second group were going to be aimed at Derby trials. The opening lot of 15 was led home by the Wayne Lordan ridden Poet, a four-year-old with listed form, while Henrythenavigator's lead horse from last season Windsor Palace - a handicapper - finished second. Westphalia under Seamie Heffernan was third in that group while Johnny Murtagh on Guineas hopeful Mastercraftsman was fourth. In the final group Rip Van Winkle was reported by O'Brien to have been "very fresh, but I am still very happy with him." He wasn't in the first six home in a group led by Stately Home, an unraced three-year-old by Montjeu. Other household names included, Septimus who is set to be dropped back in trip at the start of this season and possibly aimed at the Coronation Stakes, while Yeats is apparently looking more forward than this time last year and Frozen Fire is another who could start back off over 1m2f at the Curragh.
