Harrington hoping 'Derby horse' Taipan can confirm promise in key Classic trial

3.45 Leopardstown
P.W. McGrath Memorial Ballysax Stakes | 1m2f | Group 3 | 3yo | TG4/RTV

You do not have to rewind the clock too far to find the last Ballysax winner to follow up in the Derby. Harzand completed the double for the late great Pat Smullen and Dermot Weld in 2016 and a year later subsequent Melbourne Cup hero Rekindling was victorious.

It will come of no surprise to you to hear that Aidan O'Brien has dominated this Derby trial of late. The successes of Nelson (2018), Broome (2019) and Nobel Prize (2020) mean that he goes into this year's race chasing a fourth win in a row.

Bolshoi Ballet, who is 20-1 with Paddy Power for the Derby, would appear to be his number one hope given he is ridden by Ryan Moore and confirmed the promise of his Newmarket debut by winning a mile maiden here in October.

Aidan O'Brien: runs Bolshoi Ballet and Lough DergCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Perhaps it was a case of too much too soon on heavy ground in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud – his third run in three weeks – when fifth to Gear Up. That said, he was only beaten two and a quarter lengths.

Flying Visit and Wuqood, the 1-2 from the Eyrefield Stakes last autumn, renew their rivalry, while there is nothing more interesting than the two unbeaten colts, Taipan and Isle Of Sark.

Taipan got the message late when making a winning debut at Naas in November and ought to develop into a top three-year-old, while Isle Of Sark could hardly have won any easier than he did at Dundalk a few weeks later. He was odds-on too, suggesting big things were expected.

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Bolshoi Ballet and Lough Derg
We're very happy with Bolshoi Ballet. He's going through his half-speed work well and is ready to start off. He ran in bad ground last year because that's the time of year it was, but you'd imagine he'll prefer much better ground. He's a brother to Southern France but is a much quicker horse to do everything with. Lough Derg worked very well the other day. A mile and a quarter is probably going to be his trip.

Donnacha O'Brien, trainer of Fernando Vichi
He's a horse we've always liked and he's wintered well. The conditions will suit him well and he seems to be in good form, but I'd imagine he will improve a bit for the run.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Isle Of Sark
He won his maiden very impressively at Dundalk and hopefully he can run a very nice race.

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Taipan
I'm hoping he's my Derby horse. We think he's done very well from two to three, he might just need this first run back, though.

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