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Ratings Update: Epsom form turned round in Irish Derby

Timeform ratings reaction to Irish Derby weekend.

Epsom form turned round in Irish Derby

Benvenuto Cellini (124p from 118p) had been Ballydoyle’s number one Derby hope following a convincing win in the Chester Vase, though a disappointing effort under softer conditions at Epsom saw stablemate Christmas Day (123 from 123p) briefly leapfrog him in the ratings. But with all four of Aidan O’Brien’s Derby runners meeting again in the Irish Derby, Benvenuto Cellini bounced back on a sounder surface to beat the Epsom winner by a length and three quarters, justifying Ryan Moore’s decision to stick him with him despite his reverse at Epsom where, of course, he had officially been deemed a non-runner.

Under a patient ride from Moore, who was winning his fourth consecutive Irish Derby, Benvenuto Cellini appeared to do just enough once in front which suggests that there may well be more to come from him and the King George looks an obvious target. Christmas Day ran to a level good enough to have won any of the last three renewals but was beaten by one with a superior turn of foot under the conditions and it bears repeating that he’ll stay further, looking a St Leger type.