Aidan O’Brien continued his fine record in the Ballysax Stakes this afternoon with a victory from the Ballydoyle- trained Fame and Glory in the Group Three contest.
The Derby entry was immediately cut by bookmakers William Hill who trimmed his odds to 10/1 from 16/1 for the Epsom Classic, a price that makes him second-favourite for the 1m4f challenge behind 6/1 favourite Crowded House.
The unbeaten son of Montjeu gave away 5lbs to his rivals today, carrying a penalty for his victory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud last November.The additional weight appeared an irrelevance to the well-built colt though, who shaped like the additional two-furlongs of the Derby could only suit him better.
Kate Miller, spokeswoman for William Hill, said: ‘’This race is always ear-marked for the high-flying Derby candidates from Ballydoyle with past victories from High Chapparal, and Galileo, and we are always wary of any entry from Aidan. Fame and Glory has proved no exception to this theory, with an authoritative performance, and he may just be the one to beat.’’
Epsom Derby: Will Hil bet 6-1 Crowded House, 10-1 Fame and Glory (from 16-1), Sea The Stars, 12-1 Black Bear Island, Rip Van Winkle, 14-1 Kite Wood, Masterofthehorse, 16-1 Neeham, 20-1 Age of Aquarius,Freemantle, Mourayan, Rockhampton, 25-1 Ashram, Byzantine, Free Agent, Gam Amhras, Sans Frontiers, Glass Harmonium, Indian Ocean, Native Ruler, Rayeni, Taameer, 33-1 Desert Creek, Drumbeat, Hail Caesar, Vitruvian Man, Vocalised, 40-1 La De Two, Mastery, Ryehill Dreamer, 50-1 Father Time, Four Winds, Popmurphy, Palavinci, Quai D'Orsay, Ruler of All, Shaweel, Toraidhe, 66-1 bar (Others On Request) (E/W 1-2-3)
