Irish Derby – Pat Smullen lands Cracking ride aboard John Gosden’s hope in Curragh Classic on Saturday
Derby-winning jockey Pat Smullen has picked up the ride on Cracksman in the Irish Classic on Saturday after Frankie Dettori was ruled out with injury
ACE jockey Pat Smullen has picked up the plum Irish Derby ride aboard Cracksman.
Frankie Dettori has ridden the horse on two of his three starts, including when third to Wings Of Eagles in the Derby at Epsom this month.
However, Dettori suffered a shoulder injury in a fall at Yarmouth that ruled him out of Royal Ascot - and is expected to see him off the track for at least the next two weeks.
So trainer John Gosden has called on Smullen, winner of the race twice on Grey Swallow and last year's dual Derby hero Harzand.
Sun Bets make Cracksman 2-1 favourite to gain revenge over Wings Of Eagles, a 5-2 chance. French raider Waldgeist is next in the market at around 3-1.
Smullen's agent Kevin O'Ryan said: "He has been booked to ride Cracksman.
"He is an absolutely brilliant ride to get."
Dettori missed out on some high-profile winners at Royal Ascot, including Gold Cup winner Big Orange and King's Stand hero Lady Aurelia.
The Italian was "gutted" to miss his favourite meeting of the year.
A win for Cracksman in Ireland would set the seal on a torrid few weeks for him.