All Out War As O’Brien Invades France

After the drama of Epsom over the last couple of days the Group 1 action now turns to the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday afternoon.

All Out War
After his close reversal in the Epsom Derby, Ryan Moore could well find himself on the right horse in the French Derby.

Aidan O’Brien has now won five out of the six English and Irish Classics so far this season and six Group 1s already this year, and War Decree looks overpriced in France given the normal improvement from O’Brien’s horses after their first run of the season.

The son of War Front beat subsequent Group 1 winner and Irish Guineas runner-up Thunder Snow at Goodwood last season and did so in good style.

Although no match for Eminent on his seasonal debut, that winner didn’t do the form much harm on Saturday when a shade unlucky in the Derby and hopefully War Decree will relish this step up to an extended 10 furlongs.

The local favourite is Brametot who is now unbeaten in his last three, has suffered defeat just once in his career, and looks a worthy favourite. Backers of Bay Of Poets will also be buoyed by the Derby form with Cliffs Of Moher and Cracksman going close, but War Decree looks a big price on a difficult afternoon.

Russell Can Be Elliott’s Boy
Buonarotti Boy is a horse that Gordon Elliott was kind enough to let me ride in the Corinthian Challenge Charity Race last year and I think the five-year-old has a good chance of getting himself back to winning ways at Kilbeggan on Sunday.

A course and distance winner who has Davy Russell booked, Buonarotti Boy is actually a half brother to the Epsom Derby winner Authorized.

He hasn’t picked up all of his brother’s credentials but off a mark of 107 in a two-mile handicap and after a pleasing return to action at Down Royal last time, he will hopefully run a big race again.

Blackmore To Get The Dough
Billy Flight will prove a tough nut to crack in the three-mile handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan but champion conditional Rachael Blackmore might have something to say about that as she renews her association on Jump For Dough.

Blackmore has started this season how she ended the last and would have had the choice here between the selection and Kilganer Queen.

But Blackmore looks to have opted for the right one as Jump For Dough looked like a horse who could go in again when winning on his handicap debut at Cork last month.

He has a 6lbs rise in the weights to overcome for that victory but hopefully he has enough in hand to defy that.

Recommended Bets:
Buonarotti Boy (4/1) – 2.50 Kilbeggan
War Decree (12/1) – 3.15 Chantilly
Jump For Dough (5/1) – 3.50 Kilbeggan

*Prices correct at time of publication.