O'Brien relies on Galileo

Aidan O'Brien said yesterday his only likely runner in Saturday's Epsom Derby will be the joint-favourite Galileo.

Aidan O'Brien said yesterday his only likely runner in Saturday's Epsom Derby will be the joint-favourite Galileo.

The Ballydoyle trainer has also left in the little known Ice Dancer but said: "Obviously, if Galileo goes to Epsom, the other horse won't. He's in only in case something happens to Galileo."

O'Brien also played down fears of fast ground at Epsom - "it doesn't really matter to Galileo" - and didn't completely rule out a Ballydoyle tilt at Sunday's French Oaks at Chantilly.

"At the moment I wouldn't say we will have a runner but Fantasy Royale could still be a possible. We will decide later in the week," he said.

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A total of 14 colts were left in the Derby yesterday and they included the ex-O'Brien trained Cashel Bay who could be a first Derby runner for the Meath-based permit holder Luke Comer.

As expected, Barry Hills left four horses in the Derby, a race the Lambourn trainer has finished runner up in four times.

Michael Stoute will be represented by Golan and Dilshaan while Frankie Dettori will ride one of two Godolphin horses left in, Tobougg and Wareed.

Brian O'Connor

Brian O'Connor

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