Aidan O'Brien continues Classic trial dominance as heads turn to Leopardstown

The 2022 Flat season is in full swing after the first two Classics of the season, the 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas.

Attention now turns towards Epsom with the Cazoo Derby and Oaks next month and market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials continue to be run. Our Classic Clues series has you covered.

Here's a recap of the action on Saturday and how it has impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note on Sunday.

Saturday round-up: United Nations shortens for Derby; Tranquil Lady eyes Oaks

At Lingfield, trials for the two Epsom Classics next month took centre stage and it was Aidan O'Brien who once again came out on top.

United Nations provided the Ballymore trainer with his sixth win in the Lingfield trial and his third trial victory of the week, following successes in the Chester Vase and Dee Stakes.

Rogue Millennium, who landed the Oaks trial, does not actually hold an entry for the Epsom Classic. Some firms have offered prices for her, while others wait to see what trainer Tom Clover does. He said after winning that he hopes to supplement his filly for the race.

Meanwhile, over in Ireland in the Blue Wind Stakes, Tranquil Lady opened the door for the Oaks and has had her price slashed from 25-1 to 7-1 with Paddy Power after an impressive win.

What they said

Coolmore representative Kevin Buckley said: "United Nations put up a professional show today and we thought he would appreciate the extra distance coming out of the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom.

"We're very happy with that and as he's been around Epsom already and now here he's ticked those boxes.

"We'll sit down after the Dante at York on Thursday and sort everything out. Aidan thought he'd stepped forward from Epsom and he put it into practice."

Market movers

Cazoo Derby
United Nations: 10-1 (from 25)

Cazoo Oaks
Tranquil Lady: 7-1 (from 25-1)

All eyes on...Derby trial at Leopardstown

An interesting card takes place in Ireland on Sunday with the Derby Trial Stakes headlining the action at Leopardstown.

Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien, fresh from landing the trial at Lingfield with United Nations, team up with Stone Age. The three-year-old, by Galileo, won a 1m2f maiden last time out and is currently a general 12-1 shot for the Derby.

Duke De Sessa and French Claim are others to make note of in this race.

The Cornelscourt Stakes could open the door for some possible Classic runners and even some Group 1 horses. History holds entries for both the Cazoo Oaks and the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot.

The 1,000 and 2,000 Irish Guineas at the Curragh later this month could be an option for some runners on Sunday.

How the markets look

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)
Sky Bet: 7-2 Tuesday, 4 Emily Upjohn, 7 Agave, 15-2 Life Of Dreams, 8 With The Moonlight, 10 Concert Hall, Tranquil Lady, 12 Above The Curve, Inspiral, Nashwa, Thoughts Of June, 16 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom, June 4)
bet365: 5-1 Changingoftheguard, 6 Desert Crown, Luxembourg, 8 Piz Badile, 10 Point Lonsdale, 12 Stone Age, United Nations, 14 Eydon, New London, Star Of India, 16 Buckaroo, Cash, Westover, 20
Magisterial, 25 bar

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