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Epsom Derby 2021

I’m no flat judge but he was the first (only maybe) AOB horse I struck a line through.
Scrambling home in a bunch finish all weather maiden and beating an 85 rated horse in a cheap handicap doesn’t scream classic winner to me but if it nets you another 200k acca I’m more than happy to be proved wrong....

I thought he was impressive in that handicap and was well above his mark (as he'd obviously need to be). Its a shame he didn't take up the option of Chester or another trial but I'd say he's had issues rather than it being the plan.

It's speculative but he does interest me
 
Derby fav being backed if defeat is out of the question. Think the sport really needs an impressive run away Derby winner that folk can latch onto and I don't mean a 66/1 outsider. It'll be great if Bolshoi Ballet can storm home.
 
Derby fav being backed if defeat is out of the question. Think the sport really needs an impressive run away Derby winner that folk can latch onto and I don't mean a 66/1 outsider. It'll be great if Bolshoi Ballet can storm home.

Seconded, it would be great to see a new star appear.

At 2/1, 7/4 into 5/4 over the last 24-hours, I doubt it’s any tipster money at those prices, so it could be significant, particularly with the Ballydoyle 2nd Fav drifting from 9/2 to 7/1 at the same time.
 
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Perhaps it's due to Epsom being my home course (I'm a five minute walk from Tattenham Corner) and the fact I walked round there countless times in lockdown but I did enjoy reading Kevin Blake's column on the unique nature of the Derby course. Such a variety of tests in there. Am sure many will be familiar with it but I found it an interesting read if you have a spare minute. Weather has been absolutely baking here the past few days although I'd imagine it needed a fair bit of drying out after the recent inclement weather. Looking forward to strolling down on Friday and Saturday to watch the horses go thundering by!
https://www.attheraces.com/blogs/kevin-blake/31-May-2021/the-derby
 
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High Definition 25 on the machine, looking more like a NR now than ever....
 
Looks like O'Brien is potentially removing all his horses barring Bolshoi Ballet

Looks like it.

Van Gogh to French Derby at weekend maybe.

The Mediterranean runs in Ireland tomorrow.

High Definition the Irish Derby

The other too are big drifters on the Exchange too, and AOB has suggested Royal Ascot for them.

They must think Bolshoi Ballet is the real deal to withdraw five horses tomorrow.
 
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Obrein mugging punters off

1 day hes singing high definitions praises saying he's going well and the strong pace of the Derby will suit him

Then the day after pulls him out, feel sorry for anyone who backed him the last 24 hours theyve been screwed over

Normally when they run one its a strong indicator that one is comfortably their best
 
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Obrein mugging punters off

1 day hes singing high definitions praises saying he's going well and the strong pace of the Derby will suit him

Then the day after pulls him out, feel sorry for anyone who backed him the last 24 hours theyve been screwed over

Normally when they run one its a strong indicator that one is comfortably their best

Yep, like Love in the 1000 Guineas last season.
 
High Def would be the one for me for the st leger if he's going down the Irish Derby route now.

On another note, AOB is the after timer supreme, usually gives you fuck all of relevance pre-race but waxes lyrical afterwards. Not necessarily his fault given anyone affiliated with coolmore usually are the same. I've heard enough Michael Tabor interviews before a big race to know his doctor must have a hard time drawing blood!

EDIT - I see southern lights is still in it, so still a possible O'Brien (Joseph) long shot to save the bookies on Saturday
 
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Yep, like Love in the 1000 Guineas last season.

Question is just whether he's better than the rest

Lough derg and Fernand vichi run tonight and tomorrow

Should give us a gauge of the strength of the derrinstown form
 
Bolshoi Ballet likely to be AOB sole Derby runner.
 
Obrein mugging punters off

1 day hes singing high definitions praises saying he's going well and the strong pace of the Derby will suit him

That interview was on my mind too when I saw the drift, not a good look....
 
Well lough derg finished last so not a good start

I am not so sure Lough Derg losing makes much difference to Ballydoyles Derby plans.

After all, MacSwiney was beaten by Lough Derg in the same formlines, and he won the Irish 2000 Guineas, boosting the form.

Its all swings and roundabouts, unless several horses all win next time out from one race.


If Bolshoi Ballet is their only runner from six 5-Day entries, that’s a big statement, that he is expected to be good enough to win, without any help from pacemakers etc.

The Derby is the pinnacle for Coolmore’s racing and breeding plans so to go with only one runner, as the even money favourite, is as confident a statement as they could give us.

The only dark cloud pre-race would be if he gets drawn in stall one tomorrow.
 
Not sure you can claim mac swiney as a form boost

Its well known he is useless on anything other than deep ground

He was also sick

Iv added youth spirit at 50.0 to mohaafeth and lone eagle as my ones against the field

Gl all

Especially if you are sitting on some tasty tickets on bolshoi ballet

Always nice to land a big priced ante post one that goes off short priced fav

Then when someone who's backed it at evs asks you if you backed it you show them your 33s ticket haha
 
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Agree that It is very, very unusual for AOB to go with the one. He must be supremly confident.
 
It was a form boost as much as Lough Derg’s wasn’t. :encouragement:

A long time ago they built an Epsom/Tattenham Corner gallop at Ballydoyle - that helps to explain what the Derby means to them.

To go from a block entry of 9 out of 29 last weekend, to just one, would say more than the Derrinstown’s also-ran’s form.

I do love to see a real top class horse win the classics, and it’s been a few years since one won the Derby.

Hope we all see one on Saturday. :onthego:

Good Luck FJ forumites. :encouragement:
 
Iv added youth spirit at 50.0 to mohaafeth and lone eagle as my ones against the field

Gl all

Especially if you are sitting on some tasty tickets on bolshoi ballet

Always nice to land a big priced ante post one that goes off short priced fav

I’ve got small bets at big odds on Youth Spirit :encouragement: , and Third Realm.

My Bolshoi Ballet 2pt bet would top those, but I would be happy to collect on any of them.

Would be great to see a top class performance from the winner, whoever he is.