O'Brien bids for more big-race glory in Belmont Derby and Oaks on Saturday

Fresh from Derby triumphs at Epsom and the Curragh, Aidan O’Brien bids for more big-race glory in New York on Saturday when he targets the Belmont Derby and Belmont Oaks.

O’Brien landed the Belmont Derby (10.44pm BST) for the first time with Deauville three years ago and returns with Cape Of Good Hope and Blenheim Palace in the $1,000,000 (£794,700) contest.

Cape Of Good Hope won the Blue Riband trial in April but bypassed the Epsom Classic in favour of a tilt at the Prix du Jockey Club, in which he finished fourth.

He finished down the field in the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot most recently and will be partnered for the first time by Wayne Lordan, while Blenheim Palace, the mount of Michael Hussey, finished second in the International Stakes at the Curragh last month.

Cape Of Good Hope: one of two runners for Aidan O'Brien in the Belmont DerbyCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

TJ Comerford, assistant trainer to O’Brien, told the BloodHorse: “The ground didn't help Cape Of Good Hope at Ascot as it was soft for the first two days and he likes hard ground.

“He won at Epsom on hard ground going a mile and a quarter, where was ridden patiently and came home well. He's a grand horse and he's arrived well. A mile and a quarter really seems to have helped Blenheim Palace. He’s improved with each run and his form is there.”

Just Wonderful: the mount of Wayne Lordan in the Belmont OaksCredit: Alan Crowhurst/ Getty Images

Athena provided O’Brien with a first Belmont Oaks success last year and Just Wonderful (9.30pm BST) and Coral Beach will bid to repeat the feat.

Just Wonderful finished a close sixth in the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on her seasonal debut but has failed to figure in two subsequent starts in top-level company.

She is the mount of Wayne Lordan, while Coral Beach, ridden by Michael Hussey, bounced back to form when fourth in the Sandringham Stakes at Royal Ascot last month.

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