Saxon Warrior is sure to start a short priced favourite for the 2018 Investec Derby, with a victory for the son of Deep impact making it win number seven for the Ballydoyle stable of Aidan O’Brien in the world’s most famous Flat race. It would appear that only a lack of stamina or the inability to cope with the unique Epsom undulations stand in the way of Ryan Moore’s mount coming out on top at 4.30pm on Saturday afternoon.
Not only has the great Irish handler a tremendous winning record in the mile and a half Classic but is equally adept at supplying the runner-up, being responsible for six of the last eleven. Of those, two ( At First Sight in 2010 and Treasure Beach in 2011 ) went off at odds of 100-1 and 25-1 respectively, highlighting the fact that anything O’Brien runs in the race has to be respected. With that in mind it could be worth backing the powerful Ballydoyle stable to dominate the “ Blue Riband “ of the turf, with a couple of Betfair Sportsbook specials for O’Brien to saddle the first two and first three horses home.
As well as odds on favourite Saxon Warrior ( best price 4-5 with 188Bet ) O’Brien is likely to be represented by Derrinstown Derby Trial runner-up and third Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon, Lingfield Derby Trial second Kew Gardens along with a couple of lively outsiders in Nelson and Zabriskie.
In 2016 O’Brien supplied the first three horses home in the Prix de L’Arc de Triomphe – Found, Highland Reel and Order Of St George – a feat never before achieved or ever likely to be repeated. Few would bet against the Irish maestro doing the same on the Downs at Epsom in a few days time.
