A field of 15 have been declared for Saturday’s G1 Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at The Curragh, with Aidan O’Brien responsible for six. The master of Ballydoyle’s main chances appear to be last week’s G2 Queen’s Vase winner Santiago (Ire) (Authorized {Ire}) and G2 King Edward VII S. runner-up Arthur’s Kingdom (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in the largest field since 1977. Santiago has been done no favours by the draw, having been posted wide in 11 while Joseph O’Brien has a trio engaged headed by Scott Heider’s unbeaten G3 Gallinule S. scorer Crossfirehurricane (Kitten’s Joy). He too will have to navigate a high draw in 13, while Jim Bolger relies on the maiden Fiscal Rules (Ire) (Make Believe {GB}) who was fifth in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas June 12 and exits stall five. In an unusual year where the Irish Classic precedes the G1 Investec Derby by a week, Aidan O’Brien is keeping Russian Emperor (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), Mogul (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) and Vatican City (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) back for Epsom. According to the Racing Post, Armory (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has been described as a possible for the blue riband and also the G1 Prix du Jockey-Club July 5.
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