AidanO’Brien to send four-strong team to Epsom to attempt to win the Derby

AIDAN O’BRIEN will send a four-strong team to Epsom for Saturday’s Investec Derby at Epsom, after it was confirmed Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Roderic O’Connor will head for the French Derby the following day.

The Ballydoyle handler’s team will be made up of Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial winner Recital, Dante Stakes runner-up Seville as well as Memphis Tennessee and Chester Vase hero Treasure Beach.

Speaking on Twitter, the trainer’s wife Anne-Marie O’Brien confirmed: “We hope to run Recital, Seville, Memphis Tennessee and Treasure Beach in the Derby on Saturday. It looks like Roderic O’Connor will probably go to the French Derby next Sunday with Ryan Moore on board.

“We expect to finalise jockey arrangements sometime tomorrow.”

Recital is currently a best-priced 7-1 third favourite for the Epsom Classic with William Hill, bet365, Paddy Power and Boylesports, while Seville is an 8-1 chance with William Hill, Stan James and Paddy Power.

O’Brien could have three runners in Friday’s Investec Oaks. Cheshire Oaks winner Wonder Of Wonders – a best-priced 4-1 second favourite with most firms – and Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Misty For Me – 13-2 with Victor Chandler and Skybet – will definitely run possibly joined by one other stable-mate.

Another Ballydoyle star, St Nicholas Abbey, is evens favourite with Coral and Skybet for Friday’s Coronation Cup and he will be ridden Ryan Moore.

In opposition James Given will be double-handed with both Dandino and Indian Days.

Dandino landed the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket on his latest outing while his stablemate was beaten four lengths into third.

Given said: “I’m very pleased with both of them. Indian Days won the John Porter on his first run of the year, which I thought was a brave effort against good horses on his seasonal reappearance.

“They are rated exactly the same and I think it’s hard to split them. A lot of the attention is on Dandino because he won a British Group Two and Indian Days slightly sits in his shadow, which is unfair, I think.”

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