Aidan O'Brien is responsible for nearly half of the field at the confirmation stage for Sunday's Budweiser Irish Derby at the Curragh. The Ballydoyle handler could saddle five of 12 possible runners in the Group One contest. Odds-on favourite Eagle Mountain, runner-up to Authorized in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom, may be joined in the final line-up by Yellowstone, Soldier Of Fortune, Alexander Of Hales and Spanish Harlem. The two other Irish-trained acceptors are Kevin Prendergast's Mores Wells and Prince Erik, trained by Dermot Weld. Royal Ascot winner Boscobel has been supplemented for the race. Connections have decided to go for Classic glory following the all-the-way win by Sheikh Mohammed's progressive colt in the King Edward VII Stakes last Friday. Two French-trained horses - Shamdinan, trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre, and Andre Fabre's Royal And Regal - make up those standing their ground for the Irish Derby. Bookmakers William Hill have installed Eagle Mountain as their 4-5 favourite. |