Racing

US Army Ranger out of Irish Derby

Aidan O’Brien takes US Army Ranger out of Curragh classic after colt failed to scope clean

Aidan O’Brien: “His scope just wasn’t 100 per cent clean today. It was a routine scope. Obviously it’s a big pity.”
Aidan O’Brien: “His scope just wasn’t 100 per cent clean today. It was a routine scope. Obviously it’s a big pity.”
Wed Jun 22 2016 - 16:38

Aidan O’Brien has confirmed US Army Ranger will miss Saturday’s Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby due to an unsatisfactory scope.

The colt, who finished second to Harzand in the Investec Derby at Epsom earlier this month, had been an odds-on favourite to reverse that form in the Curragh Classic.

However, O'Brien has ruled US Army Ranger out of the race, leaving Ryan Moore to partner Epsom third Idaho as the stable's main hope. The trainer said: "His scope just wasn't 100 per cent clean today. It was a routine scope. Obviously it's a big pity.

“He’ll have a little rest now and we’ll see where we go from there.”

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Bookmakers now make Harzand and Idaho their 11-8 joint-favourites, although Harzand himself is not a certain runner at this stage, with Dermot Weld saying a final decision on his participation will not be made until the last minute.