Moore to ride Mogul in Derby as Heffernan eyes Epsom-Chantilly double

Ryan Moore will ride Royal Ascot fourth Mogul in Saturday's Investec Derby, as riding arrangements for the powerful Ballydoyle squad revealed that Seamie Heffernan looks set to be in action at Epsom and Chantilly this weekend.

Moore has been unable to partner any of Aidan O'Brien's six-strong team in their Derby homework due to Covid-19 restrictions, but will be hoping the Group 2-winning juvenile stripping fitter for last month's King Edward VII Stakes fourth.

Perhaps the most eyecatching development to emerge from the weekend's Classic action involves Seamie Heffernan, who will travel to Britain on Saturday to ride leading Derby fancy Russian Emperor before journeying to France the following day to partner Irish 1,000 Guineas heroine Peaceful in the Prix de Diane.

Under the Irish government's current Covid-19 restrictions, anyone travelling to Ireland from abroad must quarantine for 14 days upon their arrival, meaning Heffernan would miss two weeks of racing in Ireland on his return.

Russian Emperor (blue silks): the ride of Seamie Heffernan in the DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker

This will also apply to Padraig Beggy, set to ride Vatican City in the Derby, and Emmet McNamara, who is booked to partner Serpentine in the Epsom highlight before heading to France the following day to ride Fort Myers in the Prix du Jockey Club.

Last weekend's Irish Derby-winning jockey Heffernan will ride Order Of Australia in the French Classic.

Under current quarantine regulations, those entering France from Britain are expected to serve a 14-day quarantine period, although this is voluntary, and O'Brien confirmed that France Galop have given the green light for jockeys to ride at Epsom and Chantilly this weekend.

"Seamie will ride in the Derby and Oaks in England and France," he said. "We spoke with France Galop and they have told us he can do that."

It is understood an announcement on updated travel regulations relating to top-level sportspeople in Britain could also be forthcoming.

Jump jockey Chester Williams found a loophole to this process last week by travelling to Normandy racecourse as part of the freight in a horsebox.

The remaining two Ballydoyle representatives in the Investec Derby, Mythical and Amhran Na Bhfiann, are set to be partnered by Godolphin riders James Doyle and William Buick.

Mogul: a Group 2-winning juvenile last yearCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Speaking after the final declarations were made on Thursday morning, O'Brien said: "We've been happy with Mogul since Ascot. We think he's gone the right way since his last run."

He added of Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas fourth Armory, who was an absentee from the Epsom and Chantilly Classic fields at declaration stage: "He's fine but just didn't pass all his tests this morning so we decided not to declare him."

Moore will ride Love in the Investec Oaks, while Heffernan and Beggy take the mounts on Ribblesdale Stakes second and third Ennistymon and Passion respectively.

Investec Derby runners and riders

1 Amhran Na Bhfiann William Buick
2 Emissary Jim Crowley
3 English King Frankie Dettori
4 Gold Maze David Egan
5 Highland Chief Ben Curtis
6 Kameko Oisin Murphy
7 Khalifa Sat Tom Marquand
8 Max Vega Harry Bentley
9 Mogul Ryan Moore
10 Mohican Heights Andrea Atzeni
11 Mythical James Doyle
12 Pyledriver Martin Dwyer
13 Russian Emperor Seamie Heffernan
14 Serpentine Emmet McNamara
15 Vatican City Padraig Beggy
16 Worthily Martin Harley

Investec Derby betting
bet365: 5-2 English King, 4 Kameko, 5 Mogul, 6 Russian Emperor, 8 Vatican City, 16 Highland Chief, Pyledriver, 20 Mohican Heights, 25 bar

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