Irish Derby 2013

6.30 Curragh

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (Group 1) (Class 1)  (3YO only)

Winner €725,000

Advice: 3 pts win Ruler of the World (11/10), 1 pt straight forecast Ruler of the World & Libertarian (5.12 Bet365)

Cap O’Rushes: Much improved for the step upto 12 furlongs when fourth in the King George V H’Cap at Royal Ascot on first run for Saeed Bin Suroor, but pacemaker.

Festive Cheer: Promising return in French Group 2 but down the field at Epsom and can’t imagine that he’ll improve hugely on that.

Galilieo Rock: Top class stayer in the making last year and followed up close third in Sandown Derby Trial when front running third at Epsom, third from the start of the home straight until the line; Can’t imagine him reversing the form with front two but plenty of potential for a place once again.

Liberterian: Showed his returning fourth in Bet365 classic trial (carried and chance ended) to be all wrong when taking winner of Dante, and then biggest eyecatcher of them all when second in Derby, having been all at sea on Epsom’s cambers, coming with a flying run for second; Might not have caught the winner but clear second best and should enjoy strongly run race on conventional track and could get closer today.

Little White Cloud: Likely to make a good stayer in future, but group 3 defeats over 10 furlongs do not suggest that he is good enough.

Ralston Road: Significant potential based on way he won 12 furlong Leopardstown maiden and Chester handicap, but exposed as below Group standard when only eighth in the Queens’ Vase.

Ruler of the World: Gave impression that he was clearly smart with Curragh maiden win (front two well clear), and then again when running away with Chester Vase, but surpassed all expectations when running out a ready winner of the Derby, coming from second last in slowly run race to win well; That only his third run and potential to be better still for more truly run race today, so has to be considered the one to beat.

Sugar Boy: Well raced as 2yo but improving rapidly based on his two starts this season, one when a solid, albeit well beaten second behind Battle of Marngo (4^th at Epsom) getting large amount of weight; Sandown trial win was that of a horse who is going to improve for step up in trip and can run big race for all he looks exposed.

Trading Leather: Classy 2yo (second to Battle of Marengo on debut), high point when winning strong renewal of Autumn Stakes; Excellent return when second in Dante Stakes and has built on that in Irish Guineas (third, second since won Jersey Stakes), and then when running out ready winner of Listed race latest (UAE Derby winner second).

VERDICT: Some have put the Derby form into question but there’s no question that RULER OF THE WORLD and Libertarian are better than they were able to show for differing reasons that day and on a conventional track with a much stronger pace than was present at Epsom, both could be a class ahead of the rest of this field, although Trading Leather and Sugar Boy are all entitled to take a hand.