Sir Percy might have emerged as the Derby winner at Epsom but the initial bookmaker view of what will happen at the Curragh in less than three weeks' time is that the unlucky Hala Bek will reverse the placings.
Both Boylesports and Coral have made Sir Percy their favourite to complete the Derby double but significantly the Cork firm Cashmans have installed Hala Bek as a 2 to 1 favourite for the Budweiser Irish Derby with Sir Percy a 5 to 2 chance.
Current indications are that both Hala Bek and the Epsom runner-up Dragon Dancer will possibly be supplemented into Ireland's premier Classic in what could yet turn into a virtual rerun of last weekend's thriller.
The fly in the ointment, however, could be Sunday's French Derby winner Darsi, who is looking more likely than the beaten Epsom favourite Visindar to represent the Aga Khan at the Curragh. The Aga Khan's spokesman Georges Rimaud described Visindar as "less than 50 per cent" to run in the Irish Derby but appeared to be more encouraging about the impressive Prix du Jockey Club winner.
"We're thinking about the Irish Derby and the Grand Prix de Paris which seem to be logical objectives," he said.
Darsi has been installed as a 6 to 1 chance for the Irish version, a double last completed by Montjeu in 1999.
Aidan O'Brien and Kieren Fallon will be in action at Tipperary this evening where Galileo Galilei can score for the first time in his career in the mile-and-a-half maiden. Very fast ground would hardly be ideal for the colt but against that is the benefit that a run at Leopardstown last April should bring.
Pescatorio was an even greater Classic talking horse from Ballydoyle at one stage of his career but he gets another chance to break his duck in the seven-furlong maiden. On the ground, though, Greek Symphony might spoil the plan.
That consistent handicapper Millers Weir will be perfectly at home on the fast going and although a mark of 63 is a difficulty, Fran Berry's mount should still figure in the sprint handicap.
David Wachman's juveniles are running into a streak of form and the course winner Country Song should relish the step up to seven furlongs in the conditions race while the Johannesburg newcomer Rabatash is likely to go close in the opener.
BETTING ON THE BUDWEISER IRISH DERBY (Cashmans): 2 Hala Bek, 5-2 Sir Percy, 11-2 Dylan Thomas, 6 Darsi, 7 Dragon Dancer, 12 Best Alibi, 20 Art Deco. 7-2 Visindar (with a run).
