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Derby punters heads on Bolshoi Ballet, hearts with John Leeper
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05/06/2021 - 11:30 Irish trainer Aidan O Brien can become the record holder for British classic winners with 41 if Bolshoi Ballet give him his ninth Epsom Derby victory Glyn KIRK AFP 4 min
London (AFP)
Bolshoi Ballet is the punters choice to give trainer Aidan O Brien a ninth Epsom Derby and a 41st British classic breaking a record that has stood for almost 150 years later on Saturday.
However, it is John Leeper, a horse named after the late two-time Derby winning trainer John Leeper Dunlop and trained by his son Ed who may well attract the more romantically-inclined punters.
O Brien Goes For Ninth Derby Win With Bolshoi Ballet bloodhorse.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from bloodhorse.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Dubai Fountain takes on the likes of Santa Barbara and Snowfall in the big race at Epsom on Friday. The Mark Johnston-trained filly is top rated in the field
4:00PM, MAY 31 2021
It is a double that has not been completed since the great Grundy in 1975 but Rory Cleary – the man who steered Mac Swiney to Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas glory – has no stamina concerns for Jim Bolger s leading Cazoo Derby hope, paying tribute to the Epsom contender s game attitude.
Bolger came close to pulling off the Curragh-Epsom double in 2008 when New Approach finished second to Henrythenavigator on home soil before providing the Coolcullen trainer with his first win in the Derby, while Dubawi (2005) and Barathea (1993) finished third and fifth at Epsom after striking at the Curragh.
Among others to have attempted the double since Grundy, Secreto (1984) was third in the opening Classic of the Irish calendar before landing the Epsom highlight.