O'Brien ready for more Epsom experience Joseph O'Brien is looking forward to gaining more experience of the undulating Epsom circuit when he partners Thomasgainsborough in the Investec Derby Trial on Wednesday. The 18-year-old rode in both Classics at the Surrey track last summer, finishing fourth on Memphis Tennessee, trained at Ballydoyle by his father Aidan, in the Derby itself. He returns for the leg up on Thomasgainsborough, one of his father's many entries in the premier Classic this year, over 10 furlongs of the Derby course. The Dansili colt lost his maiden tag at Leopardstown in October and O'Brien junior rode him in action for the first time at Dundalk on his seasonal debut two weeks ago when he was a staying-on third to Piri Wango in a handicap over a mile. "He ran a nice race at Dundalk for his first run of the year so hopefully he can run well," he said. "It's a hot little race and it looks open enough, so hopefully he can run well. I had a couple of rides at Epsom last year, so I've had some experience round the track." Mister Music makes a quick reappearance after finishing second to the impressive Stipulate in the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket last week. Connections of the son of Singspiel, trained by Richard Hannon, believes his first outing of the season run will have put him spot on for this 10-furlong test. "He's in good form. We were pleased with his last run. Hell be fit and run a good race, hopefully," said the trainer's son and assistant, Richard Hannon junior. "He's won over the course so he'll have no problems with it and be fine." Roger Varian relies on Cameron Highland, who followed up a promising first run when third in the autumn with an eight-length romp at Redcar maiden earlier this month. "He has thrived since winning at Redcar and I am very happy with his condition," the Newmarket trainer told www.varianstable.com. "Given the recent rainfall and more in the forecast the ground could be very soft. This is an unknown for him but if he copes with conditions he should run a good race." Should Goldoni win the race for Andrew Balding then he would not be able to take up the bonus of a wild-card entry for the Investec Derby as he is a gelding, and therefore not qualified to run in the premier Classic back at Epsom in June. "I'm been very pleased with him. He's come on since Doncaster, but there's a bit of a question mark over the ground. It's going to be soft so we'll have to see how he goes on it," said the Kingsclere trainer. "He went well enough on soft in a Listed race at Salisbury. He should handle it and the course will suit him and he's in great form. "If he wins he can't take up the wild-card entry as he's a gelding but it's good prize money, so we are having a go."
