The Pep Talk – The Irish Derby
Knowing what Aidan O’Brien is going to run in these big races, at this stage, is almost impossible. He could easily have a handful.
His leading representative looks to be Benvenuto Cellini who is a best-priced 5/2. I’m not sure there’s a worse ante post bet around at the moment. He is so overrated, it’s laughable to me – he’s not done anything to warrant being a Derby favourite, let alone a Derby winner. He won a 4-runner Group 2 over a mile last season, and a Group 3 at Chester when he was 2/9.
I’m not buying any of the rubbish about the start at Epsom costing him the race, he was comprehensively beaten. Sure, you can make excuses like the start and the ground, but the fact is he is a good horse at present, no more than that. I can’t have him at all.
Christmas Day would undoubtedly be a better bet at 3/1, but that’s not saying much. He was a good winner of the Derby, but I’d like to see him do it again considering the conditions on the day and the fact he wasn’t the first or second string of O’Brien’s that day.
I’m very excited by Raaheeb.
His pedigree speaks for itself, being a brother to Baaeed and Hukum. He’s unbeaten in two starts, winning his only juvenile run by a narrow margin, but finishing the race off strongly over 7f.
Upped to 10f in the Classic Trial at Sandown in April, he was extremely professional in winning by over 3-lengths.
The way he went through that race and hit the line; they weren’t getting any closer to him. I think he’s a horse that has a bright future over 10f and 12f and I love that Owen Burrows pointed out the Irish Derby back in May as a target. This horse is so likeable and has undoubted promise.
Recommended Bet
Back Raaheeb @ 5/1
Alex Peperell
