Heffernan to ride Mountain

Racing News and previews: Aidan O'Brien will be represented by four colts as he goes in search of a third triumph in racing'…

Racing News and previews: Aidan O'Brien will be represented by four colts as he goes in search of a third triumph in racing's blue riband event, tomorrow's Vodafone Epsom Derby.

A final field of 18 were declared yesterday including the warm favourite Visindar who will try to become the first French-trained winner since Empery in 1976.

O'Brien put back-to-back triumphs together with Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002) and his quartet will be headed by Kieren Fallon's mount Horatio Nelson.

The final piece of the Ballydoyle jigsaw for the race was put in place with confirmation that Seamus Heffernan will be on board the 66 to 1 outsider Mountain.

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Altius was one of four taken out of the race at yesterday's final stage, along with Youmzain, and both Art Deco and Olympian Odyssey who have been diverted to Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.

Johnny Murtagh and Pat Smullen have both been in fine form recently and both travel to Down Royal this evening where each can add to their winner list.

Snaefell wasn't beaten far by the high-class Drayton at the Curragh and should be hard to beat in the five-furlong maiden while Oddshoes has a decent shout in the concluding seven-furlong handicap.

Murtagh is on Wychwood Wanderer in the seven-furlong maiden but this could be one for Smullen with Duke Of Milan who may be better suited by quick ground.

At Tramore it will be interesting to see how Blue Corrig goes on the prevailing fast conditions in the handicap chase while the ground could also be key to Almost Famous in the handicap hurdle.

Jeremy Noseda reports Boylesport Irish 2,000 Guineas hero Araafa to be in "good order" as he prepares for his next run in the St James's Palace Stakes on June 20th at Royal Ascot.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column