15:45 Curragh (IRE) 26 Jun 2021
Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby
Group 1 | Class 1 | 3YO only
Winner €580,000 - 11 ran
prominent early, chased leaders after 1f, settled mid-division after 3f, ridden 3f out, stayed on into 4th 2f out, soon drifted right, 2nd 1 1/2f out, closed on leader inside final furlong, led close home
led and disputed, headed after 2f and chased leader, led over 3f out, ridden to assert over 2f out, 3-length advantage over 1f out, reduced advantage inside final furlong, headed close home
mid-division early, chased leaders after 3f, niggled along in 5th halfway, ridden 3f out, under pressure and hampered under 2f out, 4th 1 1/2f out, kept on into 3rd inside final furlong, no impression on leaders
held up, progress under 3f out, ridden to close and drifted right 2f out, soon stumbled, 5th 1f out, kept on same pace final furlong
chased leaders, 4th halfway, ridden into 2nd 3f out, no impression on leader 2f out, no extra over 1f out, kept on one pace final furlong
soon chased leaders, 3rd halfway, ridden 3f out, bumped 2f out, no extra over 1f out
towards rear, ridden and no impression 3f out, kept on one pace from over 1f out
chased leaders briefly, soon held up, ridden and no impression 3f out, no extra 2f out
always towards rear, ridden 4f out, no impression 3f out, no extra over 2f out, eased final furlong
driven along and soon disputed, led after 2f, ridden and headed over 3f out, soon no extra and weakened
Betting returns
| Type | Winnings |
|---|---|
| Betfair SP | €5.50 |
| CSF | €24.40 (5, 6) |
| Tricast | €218.63 (5, 6, 11) |
| Win | €4.50 (5) |
| Place | €1.50 (5), €2.00 (6), €3.30 (11) |
| Exacta | €27.30 (5, 6) |
| Trifecta | €185.10 (5, 6, 11) |
Expert Analysis
An intriguing Irish Derby, which brought together several lines of leading form, and the first two deserve plenty of credit for coming clear, especially the winner, who had to make up several lengths late on in a race in which an initially good pace eased between halfway and approaching the straight, his 108.0% finishing speed (runner-up 106.3%) indicating that there could well be more to come. As it is, he is rated higher than the three most recent winners of this race (Santiago, Sovereign and Latrobe), and about on a par with Capri (117 in 2017) and Harzand (119 in 2016). Times suggest the description of the ground as predominantly “good” was correct, on the easy side of that if anything.
HURRICANE LANE (118 here, 111 previously) had probably not been at his very best at Epsom for whatever reason, almost certainly improving upon his form there in this, a bit better than the result as well in managing to run down a smart rival who had got an advantage of a few lengths on him and wasn’t stopping. He was steadied into mid-field after briefly disputing the lead early, made his effort 3f out and still had ground to make up when edging right 1f later, but ran on strongly thereafter to lead near the finish. A solid Irish Derby winner on form, he will need to improve a few lengths more to beat the best older horses, and is still just behind the Epsom hero Adayar (now 119), but that is at least possible given how he achieved this. He could be expected to stay further if asked but showed speed here, too, with a 35.6s final 3f.
LONE EAGLE (117 here, 112 previously) might have achieved more than imagined when running away with a listed race at Goodwood the time before and looked a good horse here for all that the race went his way somewhat, racing in second before striking for home over 3f out and quickly opening a lead of about 4 lengths, running on for pressure but caught near the finish, less likely to be suited by still further than the one who beat him. A good race or two should come his way.
WORDSWORTH (106 here, 104 previously) ran a bit better than at Royal Ascot and remains open to improvement, possibly plenty of it when tried at 14f/16f, mid-field and a bit wide, tapped for toe approaching the home straight and short of room 2f out but staying on again at the death.
EARLSWOOD (103 here, 107 previously) would have been right up to his previous best with a better run but has improvement to find at this level, racing mid to rear and on the bridle longer than most, headway on the inner when running into trouble 2f out (his briefly edging right contributing to it) and no further impression late on. He would probably be as effective returned to 10f given a test.
MOJO STAR (102 here, 111 previously) was better than the result without exactly boosting the form of his Derby second the time before, in mid-field and pushed along approaching the straight, running into trouble 2f out then making only a little impression when in the clear. He may well need his sights lowered a bit to get off the mark.
MAC SWINEY (101 here, 118 previously) shaped as if this 12f was too far, though the ground was again not as soft as for his two stand-out wins, travelling well enough tracking the pace and going second 3f out before finding no extra under pressure.
ARTURO TOSCANINI (96 here, 103 previously) ran respectably and was better than the result, driven to go prominent and still disputing second approaching 2f out, hampered soon after and one paced.
VAN GOGH (90 here, 109 previously) was set plenty to do but did not convince with his stamina, in rear and making little headway when asked for his effort on straightening up.
FERNANDO VICHI (89 here, 104 previously) was not in the same form this time, ridden less positively, mid to rear and making no impression late on.
HIGH DEFINITION (71 here, 110 previously) could have been expected to place even if he did not improve (as seemed very likely) for the longer trip, and was clearly not himself, stumbling early and always behind, looking uncomfortable when pressure was applied.
MATCHLESS (53 here, 92 previously) was quickly done with after leading, steadying what had initially been a good pace at halfway.
