3 minute read

We look at the runners and riders for this year’s Irish Derby…

Adelaide River (J A Heffernan/A P O'Brien)

One of five runners from Ballydoyle, Adelaide River ran to expectation when eighth in the Epsom Derby and his previous second behind Arrest in the Group 3 Chester Vase is not proving to be the best of formlines, with the winner well-beaten at Royal Ascot.

Auguste Rodin (Ryan Moore/A P O'Brien)

One of the leading juveniles in 2022 with a victory in the Vertem Futurity Trophy on heavy ground, Auguste Rodin was touted as a possible Triple Crown contender. Disappointing in the 2000 Guineas, he bounced back with an impressive victory in the Epsom Derby. The form has been boosted by King Of Steel's (second-place) win at Royal Ascot and he may prove hard to beat.

Covent Garden (D P McDonagh/A P O'Brien)

The longest priced runner from the Aidan O'Brien stable (100/1), Covent Garden wears first time blinkers after a third behind the re-opposing Peking Opera over further. 

Peking Opera (Tom Marquand/A P O'Brien)

Peking Opera backs up quickly after a disappointing performance in the Group 2 Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot, where he never fired. His victory the 1m5f Listed Yeats Stakes at Navan prior is a nice piece of form but this requires another step up.

Proud and Regal (G M Ryan/Donnacha O'Brien)

Winner of the 1m2f Group 1 Criterium International at Saint-Cloud as a juvenile, Proud And Regal returned with a third in the Group 3 Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown behind Sprewell. He struggled when dropped back to a mile for the Irish 2000 Guineas and the return to a longer distance should be a positive.

San Antonio (W Lordan/A P O'Brien)

San Antonio won the 1m2f Listed Dee Stakes at Chester in May and the form was upheld when the third placed horse Local Dynasty filled the same position in the Golden Gate Stakes Handicap at Royal Ascot last week. He was a well-beaten eleventh in the Epsom Derby but could run better than his 50/1 odds suggest returning to a more conventional track. 

Sprewell (S J Foley/J Harrington)

A comfortable winner of the Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown, Sprewell produced a big effort in the Epsom Derby to finish fourth, despite struggling for a clear run in the closing two furlongs. The ground would be a question mark as his solid Derby Trial form came on soft to heavy. 

Up And Under (M P Sheehy/Donnacha O'Brien)

Up And Under remains a maiden after three career starts and steps up to twelve furlongs for the first time. His three-length second behind Sprewell in the Group 3 Derby Trial at Leopardstown could be a key piece of form and his dam was Listed placed over 1m4f so stamina is not expected to be an issue. 

White Birch (D McMonagle/J J Murphy)

White Birch likes to make up ground late and has fallen victim to traffic in his recent runs. He did not have the clearest run when making a bid up the near side in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York to finish second and he had to be taken wide when third in the Epsom Derby. A small field, well-run Irish Derby could be the key for the colt and he is expected to get closer with a good ride.