Sir Dragonet set for Derby – TheGamblingTimes

Derby favourite Sir Dragonet is set to turn up in England rather than France, according to trainer Aidan O’Brien.

The Chester Vase winner, who was unraced as a juvenile, has won both his starts this season and was being linked the Derby and its French equivalent the Prix du Jockey Club – a race never won by O’Brien.

But the Irish champion trainer admits that Sir Dragonet’s owners – John Magnier, Michael Tabor and Derrick Smith – would rather go to Epsom than Chantilly, although he does need supplementing for the race at a cost of £85,000.

“No decision will be made until later, but if I had to have a bet on it, the lads would prefer to go to Epsom rather than France. They won’t make their mind up until the supplementary stage,” said O’Brien.

“Every horse that is born, bred and raised are trained to be there and I think that’s what the lads think. I can’t say for definite (that he will go), but I think that’s what they will be favouring.”

O’Brien could have up to eight runners in the Derby, and as well as the favourite, he has Broome and Anthony Van Dyck who are currently second and fourth favourites.

“Broome has had two runs and we have been very happy with him,” he said.

“Anthony Van Dyck is a horse we always thought would get a middle distance well.”

As well as Sir Dragonet, the highly-fancied Telecaster – who won the Dante Stakes at York – could also be supplemented,

“We had a very hard race last week at York,” said trainer Hughie Morrison.

“We are perfectly happy with him and he is doing everything you would like him to do after a race. We will bide our time until the latest possible point.

“If the horse did run, I would not be able to put my hand on my heart and say that he has fully recovered. It would be wrong of me to say that.

Bookmakers believe that Sir Dragonet and Telecaster are two of the best around.

“Following the news of two probable supplementary entries, the fields for the Epsom Classics are beginning to take shape now, with Sir Dragonet highly likely to be sent off favourite for the Investec Derby following his impressive Chester victory,” said Coral’s David Stevens.

**Investec Oaks

5-2 Pink Dogwood, 11-4 Medhaayih, 6 Anapurna, 7 Maqsad, 12 Iridessa, Lavender’s Blue, Queen Power, 14 Frankellina, Manuela De Vega, 16 Nausha, Tarnawa, 25 Entitle, Fleeting, Peach Tree, Star Catcher, 33 Bar

**Investec Derby

7-2 Sir Dragonet, 4 Broome, 5 Telecaster, Anthony Van Dyck, 8 Bangkok, 10 Japan, 12 Madhmoon, 14 Surfman, 20 Circus Maximus, Norway, 25 Cape Of Good Hope, Humanitarian, Line Of Duty, Mohawk, 33 Bar (inc 40 Private Secretary)