Ladbrokes yesterday suspended betting on Sunday's Budweiser Irish Derby due to the uncertainty surrounding the participation of the French Derby winner Montjeu.
What had been billed as a clash of the titans between the Epsom Derby winner Oath and Montjeu was ruled out yesterday morning when Oath worked poorly and was taken out of Curragh classic.
That was enough for Ladbrokes, who had been offering Montjeu at 5 to 2 "with a run", to close down their market as they continue to have doubts about whether Montjeu will be allowed to race on the ground at the Curragh.
"We feel we have no option with Oath coming out," said the Ladbrokes spokesman Mike Dillon. "It was one thing offering Montjeu with a run with Oath still in the race, but now we don't think that is practical. There are concerns that good weather will turn the ground at the Curragh fast and we will wait until a decision is made about Montjeu." But Montjeu's trainer, John Hammond, yesterday gave an upbeat bulletin on his colt and said that firm ground is what he is afraid of.
"Basically if it is firm , Montjeu won't run. He has already proved he doesn't like that. Ideally we would like good ground. I am told the Curragh has good going at the moment, which is good news, but three drying days across the Curragh is not unprecedented. The horse is relaxed and very happy in himself at the moment," said Chantilly-based Hammond.
The defection of Oath also helped other bookmakers follow Ladbrokes's original ploy in making Beat All favourite for Sunday's big race.
Sean Graham's and Cashmans make Beat All their 7 to 4 favourite with Paddy Power going 2 to 1. Grahams make Montjeu their 5 to 2 second favourite but Cashmans offer Montjeu at 5 to 2 "with a run".
Oath was taken out after a lacklustre piece of work under Kieren Fallon in the morning. The colt is now likely to be trained for the King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes.
"I have to say he is a non-runner because he worked moderately this morning. Kieren was not happy with him," said Willie Carson, the spokesman for Oath's owners, the Thoroughbred Corporation.
"I suppose his next race will be the King George if he is all right. It's as well he has gone off a few days beforehand and not on the day, which would have been worse. He will be routine scoped but there is nothing wrong with him. It was just a lack-lustre piece of work," Carson added.
Sean Graham: 7/4 Beat All, 5/2 Montjeu, 3 Mutafaweq, 11/2 Daliapour, 12 Tchaikovsky
Paddy Power: 2 Beat All, 9/4 Montjeu, 7/2 Mutafaweq, 9/2 Daliapour, 12 Tchaikovsky, 14 Genghis Khan, 16 Port Bayou & Urban Ocean, 25 Bar
Cashmans: 7/4 Beat All, 7/2 Mutafaweq, 4 Daliapour, 20 Tchaikovsky, 28 Port Bayou & Genghis Khan, 40 Urban Ocean, 5/2 Montjeu (with a run.)
No such intrigue centres on tonight's action at Ballinrobe where Sparkey Smith gets the nap in the Beginners Chase.
Charlie Swan's seven-year-old can make it third time lucky after two runner-up efforts. He was well beaten behind the smart Dante's Battle here in May and then was no match for Honey Trader at Tralee.
This evening's contest doesn't look as strong, however, and Sparkey Smith can see consistency rewarded.
Dermot Weld can take the opener with Ryan's Brief, a Brief Truce gelding who takes a half mile hike up in distance after finishing third to Inourhearts over five furlongs at Cork last time. The extra distance should suit and although Ryan's Brief is no star, this is no star race.
Half an hour later, Aine's Choice can go one better than a runner-up spot to Hot Bunny at Tralee last time in the nine furlong handicap while Willie Mullins' Supreme Schemer will be hard to beat in the bumper. Tawney Owl looks the main danger.
