It may get better for O'Brien with Betterbetterbetter

RACING: AIDAN O’BRIEN is set to try and add further to an already bulging Classic hand at Chester tomorrow when the aptly named…

RACING:AIDAN O'BRIEN is set to try and add further to an already bulging Classic hand at Chester tomorrow when the aptly named Betterbetterbetter lines up for the Cheshire Oaks.

Ireland’s champion trainer has won the Epsom Oaks trial in three of the last four years with Sail (2008), Perfect Truth (2009) and Wonder Of Wonders last season, and Betterbetterbetter will attempt to build on an impressive maiden win at Dundalk last month.

Also lining up in the Chester highlight is Jessica Harrington’s Cork winner Absolute Crackers, with Fran Berry on board.

O’Brien already has the first four in the betting for the Oaks at Epsom including the favourite Kissed and last Sunday’s 1,000 Guineas heroine Homecoming Queen.

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O’Brien’s 2,000 Guineas winner Camelot dominates the Derby betting list and is odds-on in some lists but David Livingston could be one to join him at Epsom next month.

Last year’s Beresford winner is one of three Ballydoyle entries for Thursday’s Chester Vase, a race O’Brien has won before with Soldier Of Fortune, Golden Sword and Treasure Beach. Also entered in the Vase are Athens and Astrology who has the option of Friday’s Dee Stakes as well.

Dermot Weld and John Oxx may also be represented in the Vase with Calgacus and Call To Battle respectively.

In other Classic news, last weekend’s 2,000 Guineas third, Hermival, could be on course to run in the Irish Guineas later in the month. French trainer Mikel Delzangles is considering the Curragh Classic or the French Derby next for his colt who raced in a small group at the far side in Newmarket.

“It was a pity he was not in the main group of horses, but he still ran very well,” said Delzangles yesterday. “He has come out of the race fine and we now need to decide whether to stay at a mile in the Irish Guineas, or step up for the French Derby. We will have to pick one of those races as I don’t think we can do both.”

However, Roger Charlton has all but ruled running his Newmarket flop Top Offer in the Irish Guineas. “Top Offer travelled well but the writing was on the wall from some way out as James (Doyle) said he was unable to handle the conditions,” the English trainer said yesterday.

“I hope to start him off in a conditions race and build him back up with time and patience for the better races. But he is unlikely to run in the Irish 2,000 Guineas.”

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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