O'Brien bids for back-to-back Apprentice Derby wins with crack youngster

Bord Na Mona Recycling Apprentice Derby | 1m4f | 3yo+ | RTV

A race every apprentice jockey wants to win. Shane Foley, Ronan Whelan and Gavin Ryan feature among the glittering roll of honour and the champion jockeys of tomorrow could be on show in this year's event.

Joseph O'Brien and his crack apprentice Dylan Browne McMonagle took this race 12 months ago with the mercurial talent Tonkinese and the pair are bidding for more glory this time with Powerful Kieran, one of four three-year-olds guaranteed a run.

Sea Ducor is the most interesting horse in the race. He may be out of the handicap, but it would be a surprise if he didn't prove himself to be extremely well-handicapped off a mark of 66, given he is rated 135 over hurdles.

The Galway Hurdle will come under consideration for Sea Ducor depending on how this assignment goes, his trainer Arthur Moore revealed on Thursday.

Sea Ducor hasn't raced often, but when he has graced the track, he showed a distinct level of ability, notably when beating subsequent Grade 1-winning novice hurdler Galopin Des Champs at Gowran Park in November.

He followed that effort up with an excellent second in a competitive handicap at Leopardstown so is at least used to the hustle and bustle of a big field reverting to the Flat.

Sea Ducor: beat Cheltenham Festival winner Galopin Des Champs over hurdles in NovemberCredit: Patrick McCann

Sea Ducor hasn't raced since, which is a small concern, but there should be a lot of fun to be had with this horse over both codes and he sticks out, especially under top claimer Joey Sheridan.

Peter Fahey has secured the services of rising force Sam Ewing for Shamad, a horse who showed his best form for some time on his previous run.

Jessica Harrington's improving Aurora Princess is the mount of Scott McCullagh, who is the son of the well-known jockey Niall McCullagh, and is another to consider in a typically wide-open renewal.

This race may centre around the youngsters but, if 80-year-old trainer Frank Oakes manages to cause an upset with Mountain Fox, the only horse the trainer has to go to war with, he would deservedly hog the limelight.

What they say

Denis Cullen, trainer of Kasperenko
He seems to be fit and well and is on good terms with himself. He’d his last blowout the other day and I am very happy with him. Hopefully he has a good chance.

Michael Grassick, trainer of Loingseoir
Hopefully the rain arrives. He has a terrible draw but, if we get the rain, he definitely has a better chance.

John McConnell, trainer of Itsalonglongroad and Maricruz
Both horses are in good form but they will need luck in running because they will be coming from the rear. Siobhan [Rutledge, rider of Maricruz] is one of the best apprentices around while Cillian [McConnell, rider of Itsalonglongroad] is improving and gets on well with the horse.

Arthur Moore, trainer of Sea Ducor
I’m glad to be able to get a run into him. We'll decide after this if we let him off for the rest of the summer or keep him for the Galway Hurdle. He's 4lb wrong at the weights here.

Joseph O'Brien, trainer of Powerful Kieran
His last two runs have been nice and the Curragh should suit him well. The cheekpieces should be a help to him as he was a bit on and off the bridle the last time.

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