RACING/Epsom Derby: Kieren Fallon's deliberations on what horse he will choose to ride in the Vodafone Derby are set to continue into today and maybe even longer.
A total of 15 colts were left in the Derby at yesterday's five-day stage and as expected four Aidan O'Brien-trained horses are lined up to take on the home team led by Motivator and Dubawi.
Although Grand Central is a general 12 to 1 shot in the betting Fallon's choice looks to lie between the Irish Guineas runner-up Oratorio and the unbeaten Gypsy King. O'Brien himself is not likely to sway his stable jockey in either direction.
"The horses have to do their last pieces of work yet and it could be Wednesday before we decide what we are going to do," the Ballydoyle trainer said yesterday. "Obviously we are going to sit down and talk about it but it will come down to whatever Kieren wants to ride."
Oratorio and Gypsy King were 6 to 1 joint third favourites for the Derby with Paddy Power after yesterday's declarations but Fallon will eventually have to split the two and Michael Kinane is on standby to pick up the reins on whichever he discards.
Jimmy Fortune is another jockey waiting to ride for Ballydoyle and the top French-based rider, Christophe Soumillon, could be the one to ride the fourth O'Brien trained hope. Soumillon has ridden for the trainer in the Derby in the past having partnered the unplaced Alberto Giacometti in the 2003 renewal.
Fracas is the other Irish hope and Walk In The Park, who will be ridden by 1991-winner Alan Munro, will be the sole French hope of winning the Derby for the first time since the Lester Piggott partnered Empery 29 years ago.
The Godolphin team have left their French Guineas winner Shamardal in the Derby along with Dubawi who remains their number one hope.
However, pre-race concerns from the Dubawi and Motivator camps about firm ground look to be unfounded as the Epsom authorities watered the track yesterday.
"The going is now good and good to firm in places and we've decided to put a quarter inch of water on the track," said the Epsom clerk of the course Andrew Cooper. "We've made it clear we are aiming for ground around good."
In contrast O'Brien has already stated he believes the elements should decide the state of the going with a firm surface likely to suit his quartet of runners.
A total of five Irish fillies are set to contest Friday's Oaks including a trio from Ballydoyle that will try to add to O'Brien's tally of Shahtoush (1998) and Imagine (2001) in the race.
Dermot Weld, who won with Blue Wind 24 years ago, will work Dream To Dress before finally committing her to Epsom while Jim Bolger will try to follow up his shock 1991 victory with Jet Ski Lady by running Pictavia.
Ballinrobe race again tonight and Weld and his stable jockey Pat Smullen look to have the material to strike in the first two races.
Dictation's debut fifth behind All Woman at Naas looks to put her in the nine-furlong maiden with a big shout while a return to soft ground could work for Regal Rap in the six-furlong handicap. His fourth at Tipperary would take him close here.
Baggio's well-backed success over the Guineas weekend at the Curragh indicated how potent a team Charles O'Brien and Fran Berry can be and Flight Of Earls could go close in the nine-furlong handicap on the strength of his run behind Kilmannin at Naas.
Magic Mark is at the right end of the weights for the handicap chase while Narrackses should improve significantly for his recent run at Navan and make his presence felt in the maiden hurdle.
Derby betting (Paddy Power): 5-2 Motivator, 9-2 Dubawi, 6 Gypsy King & Oratorio, 11 The Geezer, 12 Fracas & Grand Central, 14 Walk In The Park, 16 Shamardal, 25 Bar.
