Aidan O'Brien has confirmed City Of Troy, Los Angeles and outsider Euphoric as his three intended runners in the Betfred Derby on Saturday.
The Ballydoyle handler retains a strong hand as he looks to add to his record haul of nine victories in the premier Classic, with six horses left in the race at Monday’s confirmation stage.
But with Diego Velazquez instead heading for Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, and Illinois and Portland seemingly not making the trip to Epsom, that number is set to be halved come the big day.
"That is what we’re thinking of, maybe the three, everything seems well with them all at the moment so that’s what we’re thinking," O’Brien said in a France Galop zoom call on Tuesday.
O’Brien’s comments would appear to ease any concerns about the participation of City Of Troy after several bookmakers reported significant support for Los Angeles.
O’Brien is not overly concerned about the underfoot conditions for either of his two main protagonists.
He added: "That [ground] should be fine I think, they’re giving Friday and Saturday dry, so you often see the ground can be slow for the Oaks and perfect for the Derby. We think and hope it’s going to be nice ground and I think that’ll suit everybody really."
O’Brien fully expects Moore to keep the faith in 2000 Guineas flop City Of Troy as he looks to follow in the hoofprints of last year’s Epsom hero Auguste Rodin by bouncing back from disappointment at Newmarket to claim Derby glory, with Wayne Lordan therefore set to keep the ride on Los Angeles.
"That’s the plan, that is what we were thinking of doing. I didn’t hear anything different and I think that has been the plan all along," said O’Brien.
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