Aidan O’Brien plans to have three big contenders in the Irish Derby as he goes for a sixth successive win in the Classic at the Curragh on Sunday week.
The Ballydoyle trainer is looking to Treasure Beach, Memphis Tennessee and Recital giving him a total of nine victories in the race.
The trio finished second, fourth and sixth respectively in the Epsom Derby, and O’Brien reports all three to be on course for their second Derby.
“They all ran really well at Epsom and deserve to take their chance at the Curragh,” O’Brien, who has 22 of the 48 horses still left in the race, said.
Other likely Irish-trained contenders including Kevin Prendergast’s Dunboyne Express and Notable Graduate who will aim to give trainer Dermot Weld his third success in the race.
Native Khan, trained in Newmarket by Ed Dunlop, is also set for the Curragh after staying on well to finish fifth to Pour Moi at Epsom.
“He showed us at Epsom that he stays a mile and a half (2400m) and we have decided to keep him to his own age group for the moment and go for the Curragh race,” Dunlop said.
“He has come out of the Epsom race well and we are delighted that Johnny Murtagh is again available to ride him on Sunday week.”
PA AAP TURF
