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June 25, 2012

Superstar Camelot heads entries for Irish Derby this Saturday


Curragh Racecourse CAMELOT is set to line up in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at 7.40pm at the Curragh this Saturday, 30th June. The Aidan O’Brien-trained sensation will face a maximum of 10 opponents in a bid to add this prestigious prize to his wins in the Newmarket 2000 Guineas and Epsom Derby.
 
Aidan O’Brien, who is chasing his 10th victory in this race and his seventh in succession, has also left Epsom Derby third Astrology in the race along with Daddy Long Legs, Imperial Monarch and Learn. Local trainer John Oxx (won this with Sinndar in 2000 and with Alamshar three years later) is also well represented here with three contenders in Akeed Mofeed, Call To Battle and recent Royal Ascot fourth Born To Sea.
 
Another local trainer Dermot Weld also has two successes (Zagreb in 1996 and Grey Swallow in 2004) to his name in this race and is represented this time around be the highly progressive course winner Speaking Of Which.

Meanwhile, Jim Bolger (won the race with St. Jovite back in 1992) saddles another progressive colt in Light Heavy, who is bidding to land his fourth straight victory of the season on Saturday evening.
 
Bookmakers Paddy Power make Camelot their 1/4 favourite. They then go 9/1 Imperial Monarch, 12/1 Speaking Of Which, 16/1 Light Heavy and Akeed Mofeed, 20/1 Astrology and Born To Sea, 25/1 Daddy Long Legs and Father Of Science, 50/1 Learn and 66/1 Call To Battle.
 
A hugely exciting programme on Saturday evening which starts at 3.40pm is backed up by the Group Two Dubai Duty Free Railway Stakes with Aidan O’Brien looking dominant with seven of the 12 entries, the Group Three Woodies D.I.Y Sapphire Stakes with a very strong British trained challenge including Tiddliwinks, Eton Rifles and Definightly and the Listed Dubai Duty Free Celebration Stakes with entries including prolific winner Famous Name, Sharestan and Native Khan.  Ronan Keating performs a live concert at 8pm after the last race.
 
The David Barron trained Bertiewhittle has been installed as the  8/1 favourite by Paddy Paddy for the Paddy Power Sprint which has attracted 27 entries also run on Saturday, while they go Bubbly Bellini 10/1, Glor Na Mara 10/1, Bajan Tryst  10/1,  Gordon Lord Byron  11/1, Piri Wango  11/1, Arctic and Seanie  12/1  and 14/1 bar these
 
The three day Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby Festival gets under way on Friday, 29th June. The Derby Festival Irish Stallion Farms EBF Handicap and the Eflow Rewards Apprentice Derby are the two highlights on a seven race programme which commences at 5.30 pm.   Bressie plays a live concert after racing
 
Tickets for all 3 days are currently on sale.  A special €30 Derby Day ticket is available until tomorrow 26th June saving €10 by calling 045 441205 or on line at Curragh.ie or ticketmaster.ie. Advance booking for Derby Day include a free bus from Dublin
 
The ground at the Curragh is currently yielding to soft.