A group of Irish rugby internationals are hoping to be celebrating an Irish Derby win at the Curragh on Sunday.
Winger Mack Hansen, powerhouse centre Bundee Aki, scrum half Caoilin Blade, Connacht players Jarrad Butler and Jack Carty, as well as former Ireland great Jamie Heaslip, are all involved in the 22-member syndicate who own Up And Under.
The three-year-old is one of nine declared runners for the 1m4f Group 1 contest, which has an increased prize pot of €1.25million on offer this year.
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Joseph O'Brien reports the horse to beat in great form as the trainer targets his second success in the classic after Latrobe's victory in 2018.
But it is his father's runner Auguste Rodin that they all have to beat after the son of Deep Impact's Epsom Derby success at the start of June.
The Ballydoyle handler is responsible for five of the nine runners in Sunday's race, with Adelaide River, San Antonio, Peking Opera and Covent Garden joining the odds-on favourite in the line-up, while his other son Donnacha, like Joseph, has one runner - Proud And Regal.
Outwith the O'Brien family, John Joseph Murphy runs White Birch, while the Jessica Harrington-trained Sprewell also takes his chance. White Birch and Sprewell finished third and fourth respectively behind Auguste Rodin at Epsom.
Up And Under will be partnered by jockey Mikey Sheehy, with all of the rugby stars involved with the horse expected to be in attendance at the Co Kildare venue.
The bookies report that punters are backing White Birch to cause an upset, but admit it is tough to see past the favourite.
Nicola McGeady of Ladbrokes said: “It is hard to see past Auguste Rodin in the Irish Derby as his form continues to get better. However, some punters are seeking an alternative, looking to White Birch to cause an upset.”
Ryan Moore will once again partner Auguste Rodin and is confident his mount can make it back-to-back Derby successes.
“His chance is obvious, as his price suggests, but there are few certainties in racing,” he told Betfair.
“I am sure the connections of the Epsom third and fourth, White Birch and Sprewell, will fancy their chances of at least getting closer to us on this more conventional track. And who is to say they won’t. Different day, different course, different result maybe.
“But everyone saw the real Auguste Rodin in the Derby, stepped up to a trip more in keeping with his superb pedigree, and everyone has seen how strong the form is with King Of Steel and Waipiro coming out and winning at Ascot
“If he runs up to the level of his form at Epsom, something is going to have improve markedly to beat him.”
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