Dewhurst Stakes winner Parish Hall is a 16-1 chance for the Epsom Derby
PICTURE: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)Hall among 15 on course for Irish 2,000 Guineas
PARISH HALL, a 16-1 shot for the Investec Derby, was among 15 acceptors for the Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas on Saturday following Monday's final forfeit stage for the Curragh Classic.
The Jim Bolger-trained colt, winner of the Dewhurst Stakes on his final start last year, may be opposed by the Mikel Delzangles-trained Hermival and Trumpet Major, who finished third and fourth behind Camelot in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
Paddy Power rate Parish Hall an 11-2 chance for Saturday's contest. The firm have installed Hermival, Power and Takar as 5-1 co-favourites while Trumpet Major is available at 6-1 and Born To Sea at 9-1.
Delzangles said Hermival is a likely runner in Saturday's race and said: "All being well he’ll run in the Irish Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday. He's done his last piece of work and he's recovered well from Newmarket which is why he's off on his travels again.
"I'm sure he'll have learnt from the experience. He got left on his own on the far side and had every right to wonder what was going on around him."
John Oxx: could run Born To Sea and Takar in Saturday's contest
PICTURE: Edward WhitakerJohn Oxx, who like Bolger has yet to train an Irish 2,000 Guineas winner, could be represented by Born To Sea - who finished 12th at Newmarket - and dual winner Takar, winner of the Listed Tetrarch Stakes at the Curragh on his seasonal reappearance this month.
Aidan O'Brien, who has sent out seven winners of the Classic, accounts for seven of the acceptors, including Power. The National Stakes winner and Dewhurst Stakes runner-up finished in rear behind Camelot at Newmarket.
O'Brien is also responsible for Daddy Long Legs, the UAE Derby winner who trailed in last in the Kentucky Derby, and Wrote, in Saturday's renewal. The Ballydoyle trainer has also left in Crusade, Nephrite, Reply and Vault.
Completing the 15 are the Dermot Weld-trained Speaking Of Which, Alkazim, who is trained by David Wachman, and Bryan Smart's Foxtrot Romeo, who finished fourth in the Mill Reef Stakes at Newbury on his third and final start last season.
The ground at the Curragh on Monday morning was described as " good to yielding " on the straight course and " good " on the round track.
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