Major gamble on Jan Vermeer for Derby

A major Investec Derby gamble was developing on Jan Vermeer on Friday.

The son of Montjeu has been the buzz horse in the Epsom market since making a highly impressive winning reappearance in last Sunday's Gallinule Stakes at the Curragh.

There had been doubts about whether he'd run at Epsom or instead be rerouted to the French Derby at Chantilly.

But all the signs point to him being on the Downs next Saturday after both Hills and Victor Chandler were forced to cut him to 4/1 from 6/1 after heavy support early on Friday.

Hills spokeswoman Kate Miller described it as a "gargantuan gamble" and said the form had pushed out big-race favourite St Nicholas Abbey to 9/4 from 7/4.

She added: "The world and his wife seem to want to be on Jan Vermeer today, and despite our best efforts we simply cannot stop laying him. With such a strong hand in the Derby, only Aidan and Ballydoyle know exactly what will happen, and the speculation is causing ructions in the betting."

Meanwhile Chandler spokesman Neal Wilkins said: "Jan Vermeer was very easy winner of the Gallinule Stakes last week and has been in steady demand since then with us. It would be surprising if he did not run in view of the money for him since his reappearance."

Elsewhere Ladbrokes have eased St Nicholas Abbey out to 5/2 and have Jan Vermeer as short as 7/2.

Jan Vermeer was clear favourite for the Classic with betfair by mid-afternoon at odds of just over 3/1.

So far O'Brien has only committed St Nicholas Abbey and Leopardstown Trial winner Midas Touch to the Epsom Classic, with plans for Jan Vermeer and Dante winner Cape Blanco still to be confirmed.