O’Brien quartet to take on Harzand in Irish Derby

David Metcalf | June 20, 2016

Harzand 6/5 to complete Derby double

Harzand looks set to get the cut in the ground that he relishes at Curragh and is into 6/5 (from 6/4) with Coral to complete the Derby double on Saturday, June 25th.

Conditions at the track eased after 14.6mm of rain yesterday, and the going was this morning described as yielding on the straight course and good to yielding on the round course.

The forecast for the next few days also remains unsettled, and that will be music to the ears of Harzand’s connections who would not risk him in the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby if the good was considered too quick.

Impressive success at Epsom

Trained by Dermot Weld, the three-year-old revelled in the soft ground when powering to Investec Derby glory at Epsom earlier in the month in the hands of Pat Smullen.

Harzand found plenty when US Army Ranger threw down a strong challenge inside the last to win going away by 1 1/2 lengths at the line.

Although many thought the runner-up was unlucky having come from a long way back, I though Harzand scored with real authority and he looks a worthy favourite to confirm the form and complete the Classic double.

US Army Ranger set for rematch