Lambourn bids for Derby double - but Epsom rivals gunning for revenge and Charlie Johnston thinks Curragh 'will play to Lazy Griff's strengths'

Three of the last four Irish Derby winners went two places better after finishing third at Epsom, but none had to reverse the form with the Classic winner, which is the task that lies ahead for the Joseph O'Brien-trained Tennessee Stud.

The Wootton Bassett colt recorded his two wins as a juvenile in a productive campaign that included a runaway Tipperary maiden success, a fine second behind Hotazhell in the Beresford and a Group 1 victory on atrocious ground at Saint-Cloud in October.

He came on plenty from his reappearance third in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown to run a huge race in the Derby, faring best of those held up and finishing strongly to get within four and three-quarter lengths of Lambourn.

O'Brien's prints are clear to see on recent Irish Derby history, having steered Lambourn's sire Australia to complete a Derby double in 2014, two years after he did the same with Camelot.

It was a son of Camelot who provided him with one of his best days as a trainer when Latrobe landed the Curragh Classic under his brother Donnacha in 2018, beating four horses trained by his father Aidan, including 2,000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior.

The Dylan Browne McMonagle-ridden Tennessee Stud provides him with his best chance of winning the contest since and O'Brien feels he will be well suited to the demands of the track.

He said: "We were delighted with Tennessee Stud's run at Epsom and he's prepared well since. He should enjoy the Curragh and we're hoping for a good run."

• Is Lambourn the real deal or was his runaway Epsom victory simply a fluke from the front? It's time to find out

Johnston: 'This test will play to Lazy Griff's strengths'

Charlie Johnston had the Irish Derby in mind for Lazy Griff for some time and his spectacular run at Epsom, despite fears about the track beforehand, provides further encouragement he can stake a big claim of winning round three with Lambourn.

Lazy Griff was a length and a half behind Lambourn in the Chester Vase and they fought out the finish in the Derby, with three and three-quarter lengths between them at the line.

Dee Ex Bee, trained by Charlie's father Mark, boasted a similar profile in 2018 when finishing runner-up to Masar at Epsom before the future Ascot Gold Cup runner-up finished seventh at the Curragh, but there is confidence that Lazy Griff can fare better with the track promising to suit the son of Protectionist.

Lazy Griff (centre): chased home Lambourn in the DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

"He came out of Epsom well and he had a hard enough race, as you would expect when finishing second in a Derby," said Johnston. "He had a pretty easy ten days to let him get over that but has been in very good order since. 

"We were quietly confident going into the Derby he'd run a big race but I had fairly large concerns about the track, just on the basis he's quite a big, heavy-topped horse, so it was a bit of a surprise he went around it so comfortably. 

"We've always thought a lot of him and he did really well from two to three. We thought he'd improve plenty for going up in distance and that's how it's proved. After Chester, I thought the two best races for him would be the Irish Derby and the Leger. We always thought the test of an Irish Derby would play to his strengths."

What they say

Jessica Harrington, trainer of Green Impact
He's only had two runs this year and he's just coming to himself now. He's come on loads since the Guineas and even since his win at Leopardstown. We knew he wanted further than a mile but, when you've won a Group 2 over a mile at two, you've got to have a go at one of the Guineas. The ground was a little bit too firm for him at Newmarket, he pulled off a shoe and became unbalanced in the Dip, so plenty went wrong on the day. The Leopardstown race didn't really suit him at all but he fought them all off and went away from them. He has a great attitude and only ever does what you ask of him.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Lambourn, Puppet Master, Serious Contender, Shackleton and Thrice
Lambourn is a lovely horse, stays well, has a great mind and is uncomplicated. He’s scopey and classy and we were delighted with him at Epsom. Wayne [Lordan] gave him a beautiful ride and Ryan [Moore] rode him similarly forward at Chester. He’s uncomplicated and won his races last year doing the same. He got the mile and a half very well at Epsom and Chester and he’s very straightforward. Puppet Master won the Lingfield Derby Trial and is also very straightforward. He should get a mile and a half well and should love the Curragh. Serious Contender ran a very good race in a handicap at Royal Ascot when drawn wide and is a big, honest horse. Thrice was fighting back at the line again in the Gallinule and it seemed that day he would get further. Shackleton didn't get an easy lead in the Queen's Vase and ran a very good race. He's been in good form since.

Pride Of Arras: Dante winner bids to bounce back from disappointing run in the DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)

Patrick Cooper, racing manager to the Aykroyds, owners of Pride Of Arras
It's tough to put his Epsom run down to any particular reason. He travelled fine through the first part of the race, but he came down the hill on the wrong leg. It’s right to try the Derby trip again.

Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to Marc Chan, owner of Sir Dinidan
He's in good form and his Goodwood run has worked out well. We dodged Ascot as we thought the ground was too firm so we were happy to have a go here.

Read more:

Why a Derby double for Lambourn would be the right result for a Classic occasion in worrying decline 

'He has long been in the notebook and the form appeals as strong' - Conor Fennelly with four selections on Irish Derby day  

Is there any stopping Lambourn completing the Derby double? I don't think so - but this colt can make a race of it  

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