The Lion In Winter proving popular for Epsom redemption Things didn't go to plan for The Lion In Winter on his comeback in York's Dante Stakes but it appears there is plenty of confidence that the Ballydoyle colt can rebound in the Epsom Derby. Aidan O'Brien certainly knows what is needed. The Ballydoyle maestro has sent out Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy to win the Epsom Classic in the last two seasons, both after disappointing defeats on their respective seasonal bows. O'Brien was quite cautious in his assessment of The Lion In Winter going to York, and the betting markets are now getting right behind his bid for Epsom redemption. Epsom Derby Betting Offer If you already have a William Hill account, check out more of the best betting sites and casino bonuses York the starting point The Lion In Winter was a very impressive winner of last season's Acomb Stakes at York on only his second start. That form has been taken several boosts but as he prepared to return to the Knavesmire for the Dante last week, there were some well-placed experts willing to suggest Ryan Moore had controlled that Group 3 race from the offset. Would he be allowed to do something similar on his belated comeback after a minor setback forced the Sea The Stars colt to miss the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket? "He's going to improve a ton from whatever he does," was O'Brien's cautious appraisal before York. Even allowing for that, a four-length defeat as he finished sixth of 11 behind Pride Of Arras at York was disappointing. Connections will point to his early keenness in the race having compromised his chances. The Lion In Winter 'works like a miler' The Dante was the first time The Lion In Winter had raced beyond seven furlongs. The extended mile and a quarter at York is a bridging point for Epsom but O'Brien's pre-race assessment certainly didn't fill anyone with confidence. "You can never be sure. He doesn’t work like a mile-and-a-half horse really, he works like a miler," said the trainer. "I know most horses by Sea The Stars do stay, but obviously we're going to have to wait and see first before we can be really sure of anything." Lions roars into Derby favouritism Having traded at 11/8 on the day of the Dante, The Lion In Winter eventually went off at 8/11 before finishing sixth. He was duly pushed out to 5/1 (from 11/4) for the Epsom Classic after finishing four lengths behind Pride Of Arras at York. That price change didn't last long. The Lion In Winter surged back to the top of the market on Monday and is into a general 5/2 favourite with most firms. Stablemate Delacroix, winner of the Derby Trial at Leopardstown this month, is around a 5/1 chance after easing as The Lion In Winter was backed. His season began with victory in the Ballysax Stakes and that form reads well after three of the four that finished closest to him came out and won in Listed/Group-race company next time, including key Derby trials at Chester and Lingfield. The Lion In Winter has it all to prove following York but so, too, did Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy before they won at Epsom. The market is often spot on when it comes to the Ballydoyle pecking order in ante-post scenarios, so the recent positive vibes for The Lion In Winter have to be noted.
