Saxon Warrior in good order ahead of Irish Derby
The 2000 Guineas winner is giving off positive vibes in the lead-up to the Classic
CLASSIC hero Saxon Warrior is in good shape ahead of his run in the Irish Derby on Saturday.
The 2000 Guineas winner lost his unbeaten record in the Derby at Epsom but will attempt to put the record straight at the Curragh.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt had won his first four career starts, including two wins at Group 1 level, before finishing fourth in the Derby as the 4-5 favourite.
His trainer, who has won the Irish Derby on 12 occasions, said the colt would appreciate the return to a more conventional track.
The son of Deep Impact struggled to cope with the slopes of Epsom earlier this month.
O'Brien said: "He seems good and Donnacha (O'Brien) rode him in his work on Saturday.
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"It is so far so good and the plan is to go for the Irish Derby and we are looking forward to that.
"He ran a great race at Epsom. He was a little bit at sea (on the track).
"He was a little bit babyish in his mind and found the whole experience different.
"Ryan (Moore) looked after him, which was the right thing to do and he came out the race very well, which the main thing."
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The colt is currently the 8-13 favourite for the Irish Derby, and O'Brien believes the experience of Derby day at Epsom will stand him in good stead going forward.
He added: "We think he will have grown up and learnt a lot for that experience.
"I think the track at the Curragh will be better for him.
"I think Epsom would be fine for him if he was to go back there again, he was just a little bit at sea and was still a bit of baby last time.
"He had three soft runs at the backend last year and he didn't learn an awful lot.
"The tracks were all easy tracks he raced on, we think the experience at Epsom would have done him the world of good.
"His work is finished now and everything seems good."
Among his rivals on Saturday will be Mark Johnston's Dee Ex Bee, who held the upper hand when the pair met at Epsom.
The son of Teofilo was second in the Derby, and assistant trainer Charlie Johnston confirmed the horse would be running at the Curragh.
He said: "That's the plan (Irish Derby) for Dee Ex Bee. We are looking forward to that.
"After Epsom there was a possibility of going to Ascot, but we hoped that Mildenberger would be going there.
"We had left Dee Ex Bee in, but then the lure of the Irish Derby and the Group 1 was too much so that is where he goes."