Dylan McMonagle's Derby dreams could become reality this weekend as he takes the ride on White Birch in the third Classic of the summer, writes Paul Martin.
John Murphy's colt finished third in the Epsom equivalent with Colin Keane on board but the champion jockey's ban this weekend means the reigning champion apprentice will instead be on board.
McMonagle has never ridden in the 157-year-old race before and is delighted to be making his debut on such a promising contender, who is currently priced at around 5/1.
“I found out at the weekend and I was delighted to get the call from George [Murphy, assistant to John],” he said.
“I hadn't any idea at all before that. Everyone will have been trying to get on him as he's got a big chance, a lot of the senior riders would have been on the phone.
“I wasn't shocked but I was just very glad and grateful to get the opportunity.
“It's the best race in Ireland and for the connections to put their faith in me on a horse that has such a good chance is really special. Hopefully I can prove them right.”
To do so, he will have to help the three-year-old overturn a sizeable deficit on Auguste Rodin, with five-and-a-quarter lengths separating the pair when they met at Epsom.
The odds-on favorite is looking to provide Aidan O'Brien with a record-extending 15th Irish Derby victory but McMonagle hopes White Birch, who claimed an eye-catching Ballysax Stakes victory as a 22-1 shot on his first appearance this season, rises to the big occasion.
“He [Auguste Rodin] obviously won the Derby well and there was a big distance back to third but my lad didn't have the smoothest run round,” he said.
“He got bumped coming out the gates and lost a bit of ground, so he had a lot of ground to make up
“It will be a very hard test but if we can get a bit closer to him at halfway, he might give him a run for his money.
“This track should suit him a lot better. It's a big, galloping course and the best horse usually wins at The Curragh.
“It will give everyone a fair chance and my lad stays really well, he's been hitting the line strongly in his last couple of runs.
“He is versatile and conditions don't really matter for him. Epsom is a quick track, downhill for a lot of the way, which can be a little bit awkward for a big horse.
“He handled Epsom well but I think The Curragh will definitely play to his strengths.”
McMonagle is in the midst of his first season as a professional and has the chance to enhance an already burgeoning reputation on Sunday afternoon.
He entered a Group 1 winners' enclosure for the first time on Al Riffa in the Goffs Vincent O'Brien National Stakes last year but knows this would top the lot.
“Everyone dreams of winning those races when they are younger,” he said.
“It would mean the world to win it and they are the kind of races you need to be riding in and being competitive in.
“When you're in with a live chance on a horse like him, it's very exciting. I can't wait.”
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