Tomorrow’s €1.5 million French Derby kicks off six days containing three major Classics and although unusually no horse trained in this country travels to Chantilly, Irishman
Kevin Ryan
will attempt to secure a landmark victory with The Grey Gatsby.
The Dante winner at York will again be ridden by Ryan Moore in the 16-runner Prix Du Jockey Club and both he and the only other overseas raider, Ayrad, have secured vital good draws in stalls six and seven respectively.
Yorkshire-based Ryan, originally from Golden in Co Tipperary, has tasted Group One glory in France before in the Prix de l’Abbaye, as well as securing top-flight wins in the Middle Park Stakes and Racing Post Trophy.
A win for The Grey Gatsby would be a first Classic although it will be a big task against the French Guineas winner Karakontie and the likely favourite, Prince Gibraltar, a Group One winner as a two-year-old and impressive in the Prix Greffulhe last time.
“Prince Gibraltar looks good but it’s the French Derby – you’re going to have to take on good horses,” Ryan said yesterday. “Our horse has a great draw and has travelled over well.”
Tomorrow’s big race is due off at 3.15 Irish-time.
Newtown Anner Stud near Clonmel, owned by Maurice and Patricia Regan, will pitch for Classic glory next Saturday with Fascinating Rock and while a €10,000 handicap hurdle at Kilbeggan tomorrow is much smaller fry, Greatness does look an interesting prospect.
Bottom weight
Tony Martin’s bottom weight is the sole four-year-old in the race and after three winter runs over hurdles,
Greatness
looked to put in a much better effort earlier this month on better ground at
Wexford
. The likely going tomorrow should suit him again.
Ruby Walsh takes the mount on Indevan in the Beginners Chase at Kilbeggan and this former point to point winner could have most to fear from his former stable-companion, Bally Longford.
Listowel's all-flat card tomorrow sees Joseph O'Brien go to Kerry for three rides, one of which is for Jessica Harrington, but the most interesting of which looks to be the newcomer Homeland in the juvenile maiden.
