Fracas for Derby

Racing News: David Wachman yesterday committed Fracas to Saturday week's Epsom  Derby after experiencing the unique Epsom track…

Racing News: David Wachman yesterday committed Fracas to Saturday week's Epsom  Derby after experiencing the unique Epsom track for the first time yesterday when he travelled to Britain to walk the course.

Afterwards he confirmed that the Derrinstown Trial and Sandown Trial winner will run in the Derby. "It's interesting. It's what I expected but very steep," was the Wachman verdict. "The place is in great nick. I'd say the ground at the moment is good."

He added: "Having seen it, we will go for the Derby if he stays okay. Like every other horse coming here it depends if he handles the track and you don't know until you try. As far as I know Jamie Spencer will ride."

Aidan O'Brien will probably wait until the start of next week before whittling down his list of Derby possibles which include Gypsy King, Grand Central and Scorpion.

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"They are all possible and they all have another three pieces of work to do. It will be the end of the week or the start of next week before narrowing it down a little. We believe any of them could run great, that's why we've left them in," O'Brien said yesterday.

"The ground will the key for ours. They are all good to firm ground horses and that will be taken into consideration," he added.

O'Brien had more definite news on the Oaks front as he indicated that the Newmarket Guineas winner Virginia Waters is likely to be supplemented into the race at a cost of £20,000. "If the ground is good or better we will supplement her," said O'Brien, who added that Silk And Scarlet and Mona Lisa are also "possibles".

The Dermot Weld-Pat Smullen team can continue their run of success in the opener at Clonmel this evening where Sweet Firebird can finally get off the mark in the mile-and-a-quarter maiden.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor is the racing correspondent of The Irish Times. He also writes the Tipping Point column