Camelot is a classic no-bet proposition

All eyes will be on Camelot, the hero of the English 2,000 Guineas and Derby, when he races against a field featuring only half-a-dozen rivals in the Irish Derby at The Curragh.

Aidan O`Brien has trained the winner of the Irish Derby for six consecutive years and, with Camelot, Imperial Monarch and Astrology representing the Ballydoyle handler in the 2012 edition, he is long odds on for seven in a row.

Camelot is the clear favourite at odds of around 2-7 so the question facing punters is simple: is the two-time classic winner a good thing to make it five wins from five starts?

According to most handicappers, Camelot is many pounds superior to his Irish Derby combatants, with Imperial Monarch rated next best, albeit about a stone lower.

Camelot was ultra impressive in winning the Epsom Derby, grabbing the lead one furlong out, running on strongly and passing the finishing post five lengths clear of Main Sequence even though Joseph O`Brien eased him down.

The Montjeu colt could only beat the horses that took up the challenge but the Epsom Derby form has not worked out all that well, with Astrology, Thought Worthy, Minimise Risk and Cavaleiro not placing any higher than third at Royal Ascot.

The same can be said of the English 2,000 Guineas form as well. Runner-up French Fifteen`s next outing resulted in a 10th-place finish at Chantilly, while the bronze medallist, Hermival, was not good enough to beat either Power at The Curragh or Most Improved at Royal Ascot.

And then there is the ground on which Camelot will run in the Irish Derby. The Curragh is reported to be mostly soft but heavy in patches. Aidan O`Brien has gone on the record stating that wet going will not be ideal for his odds-on favourite and Newmarket was good to soft on English 2,000 Guineas Day when Camelot beat French Fifteen by just a neck.

Everyone is hoping that Camelot is the latest British wonder horse but there are sufficient reasons to think twice about taking odds of 2-7. He should win - all of his opponents have form containing holes - but he is not worth backing.

There are two Group One events at The Curragh this weekend, with the Pretty Polly Stakes the day after the Irish Derby. And Aidan O`Brien has a very strong hand in it as well.

The master of Ballydoyle trains three of the seven runners, with Epsom Oaks winner Oaks representing his best chance according to bookmakers. His other contenders are Maybe, fifth behind Was at Epsom, and Up, his third string.

Maybe was a late scratching from the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot after many pundits had tipped her to take out the Group One race over Ascot`s stiff mile. The Pretty Polly Stakes is run over 10 furlongs and that should suit the daughter of Galileo and Sumora a bit more than Was, whose father is Galileo also but whose mother is Alluring Park.

As is the case with the Epsom Derby form, there are question mark regarding the strength of the Epsom Oaks form and, as such, the Pretty Polly Stakes is not a race in which to get involved heavily. It is one to watch whilst taking notes.

Royal Ascot winner Princess Highway looks the pick of the three-year-old fillies over classic distances but Sapphire, winner of three races, represents Dermot Weld instead.

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02/07/2012     © Frixo 2024