Aidan O’Brien’s Highland Reel poised for French Derby bid

Aidan O'Brien has been trying since 1998 to win the French Derby and Highland Reel could emerge as his leading contender to finally secure the elusive €1.5 million Chantilly highlight this Sunday.

Ireland’s champion trainer is the only overseas handler represented among 18 horses currently left in the Prix Du Jockey Club but O’Brien does have a quartet of colts to pick from in France’s premier classic.

Highland Reel started a warm favourite for the French Guineas at Longchamp earlier this month but could manage only sixth to Make Believe with his stable companion War Envoy, also still engaged in the Jockey Club, a place behind him in seventh.

On that same Longchamp card Cape Clear Island was runner-up to Ampere in the Group Two Prix Hocquart and he is also a possible for Sunday's race although O'Brien's other entry, Sir Isaac Newton runs in a maiden at Gowran today.

Among the leading home contenders for the first major European Derby of 2015 is the Aga Khan’s impressive Karaktar while Andre Fabre’s two hopefuls include New Bay, a fast-finishing runner up to Make Believe in the Poule D’Essai De Poulains.

The Aga Khan has six wins in the French Derby to his name and Karaktar looks a prime contender to add to that on Sunday.

There could be other Irish interest at Chantilly as Evanna McCutcheon has left her former Abbaye hero Maarek in the €130,000 Prix Des Gros Chene over five furlongs. Officials at Chantilly are forecasting good ground for the prestigious card.

Sir Isaac Newton’s weekend classic entry reflects the big reputation he has carried throughout his career so far, a reputation originally based on a 3.6 million guineas price-tag and then a promising debut last year behind Zawraq.

He went to Chester three weeks ago as a likely Epsom Derby contender but emerged with a severely tarnished reputation after getting beaten in a maiden at odds of 1-6.

Sir Isaac Newton lines up in another maiden at Gowran but is dropped back to seven furlongs and it will be back to the drawing board for the Ballydoyle team if Secret Gesture's brother can't win this at his leisure under Séamus Heffernan.

Buyer Beware was a 20-1 winner on his Killarney debut earlier this month and can build on that while much quicker going should suit Sr Cartage, a daughter of Sea The Stars, who only just won her maiden at the course but now starts in a handicap off a mark of just 79. Roca Rojo also won her maiden at Killarney impressively. She has a stiffer task in a five-runner fillies race but looks a type to progress.