Bolshoi Ballet 7-4 favourite for Derby after dominant Derrinstown display

They had been tribulations rather than trials up until now, but Bolshoi Ballet finally produced something of substance at Leopardstown to make a murky Epsom Derby picture look a whole lot clearer.

There were co-favourites on Sunday morning with some firms, joint-favourites with others, but Bolshoi Ballet is now out on his own at the top of the Cazoo Derby market at 7-4 and it is hard to argue that is the wrong price after his demolition job in the Derrinstown Derby Trial.

The mighty Galileo and High Chaparral both won the Ballysax and the Derrinstown on their way to Derby glory at Epsom and Bolshoi Ballet has now completed two of those three legs in emphatic fashion; the Ballysax by an eased down two-and-a-quarter lengths and the Derrinstown by six.

Full result, replay and analysis

"He's lovely, isn't he? He's coming on lovely and we're very happy with him. We've always loved him and thought a lot of him. we couldn’t have asked for any more from him," said an impressed Aidan O'Brien afterwards.

He added: "He's uncomplicated – he relaxes and he quickens. He was pencilled in for the two runs – the Ballysax and the Derrinstown – and then on to the Derby. There was an even pace out there which was great. He quickened well.

"He travelled to France last year in ground that we knew he wouldn’t like but we wanted to travel him for experience."

It was the highlight of a 210-1 four-timer for O'Brien and Ryan Moore and the man on board was just as impressed by Bolshoi Ballet as his trainer.

Moore said: "He’s a very professional horse. He was always travelling beautifully through the race and is very smooth. He ticks a lot of boxes and he has improved for every run in his career. It was a proper test today and that will stand him in good stead."

Aidan O'Brien: won his 14th Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial with Bolshoi BalletCredit: Patrick McCann

Lough Derg ran on for second to complete a one-two for O’Brien, with the Jim Bolger-trained Mac Swiney never able to threaten the winner on his seasonal reappearance in fourth.

It was an unprecedented 14th success in the Derrinstown for O'Brien, who will be relieved to have a rock-solid Derby contender after the setback to High Definition. The latter will have a workout on Monday morning to decide whether he will take up an engagement in the Dante at York on Thursday.

O'Brien explained: "High Definition will do a bit in the morning and we're hoping he might go to York. His blood count is still coming down. It’s not 100 per cent yet but it’s a lot better than it was. It's nearly there. We need to run obviously. He has to get out if he's going to the Derby. He's not been medicated because we couldn’t find anything."

Whatever happens with High Definition, O'Brien already has a ready made Derby candidate in Bolshoi Ballet, whom Paddy Power initially went 2-1 from 5-1 about, but that was soon shortened further into 7-4. Mac Swiney has been pushed out to 14-1 (from 9) with the same firm.

Bolshoi Ballet – a value favourite or too short for the Derby?

Read more on the Derby trials

All aboard the Varian bus to Epsom as Third Realm hits top gear at Lingfield

El Drama could head to Chantilly rather than Epsom after Dee Stakes win

Marquand 'really impressed' as Youth Spirit showcases Derby claims on the Roodee

Watch live races through the Racing Post. Log in to your bookmaker account and look on the racecards for eligible races. Click the red 'Watch live now' icon and they're off! Find out how here