North Light eyes double

North Light has been installed as a 6 to 4 favourite to complete the English-Irish Derby double at the end of the month.

North Light has been installed as a 6 to 4 favourite to complete the English-Irish Derby double at the end of the month.

Cashmans started betting on the Irish Derby yesterday and didn't hesitate to make the Michael Stoute-trained Epsom hero their clear market leader.

The first three in the Epsom Derby dominate the ante-post betting with the Aidan O'Brien-trained Magritte, yet to run this season, the only local horse quoted at 8 to 1.

Sunday's Prix du Jockey Club winner Blue Canari is also quote at 8 to 1 with the Cork firm.

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Locally trained contenders appear to be thin on the ground at this stage.

Dermot Weld could still run Carideas or Grey Swallow but there is uncertainty about whether Relaxed Gesture might be able to make the Derby.

Relaxed Gesture missed out on the French Derby and the Italian Derby due to injury and Weld said yesterday: "Relaxed Gesture has pulled a muscle. I don't know yet when he will be back."

Potsdam makes a quick return to Tralee today as he goes in search of a second win in three days at the track.

Paul Scallan is again teamed up with the horse in the second division of the seven-furlong handicap after guiding Potsdam to a three-quarter length defeat of Chicanery over a mile here on Sunday.

Potsdam has been raised 5lb but is clearly in form and is preferred to Icy Glance who has 10lb claimed and comes here on the back of a second to Antigone at Ballinrobe.

Norbone Bandit has to give weight all round in the three-year-old handicap but might be able to defy it over this easy mile and a half.

The Ger Lyons horse won over a mile and a quarter at Navan before running only eighth at Gowran. That was over nine furlongs, however, and Norbone Bandit has been dropped 1lb in the ratings.

Pat Smullen makes the long journey south for the ride on Clever Myth in the fillies handicap and the hike up to a mile should not unduly bother the Green Desert filly.

Domnul Admiral has been placed to both Top Ben and O'Driscoll and looks due in the maiden hurdle while Good Thyne Jack could defy a stone penalty for winning at Kilbeggan last time in the handicap hurdle.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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