Derby favourite fails to impress punters in Leopardstown trial

With the Investec Derby just over three and a half weeks away punters are getting their final glimpses of the contenders for the biggest race of the Flat season.

Thursday’s Dante Stakes at York will have the most influence on the Derby odds with three of the leading contenders in action, but Recital missed his chance to stamp his authority on the Derby betting in his trial at Leopardstown.

The Aiden O’Brien-trained three-year-old failed to impress the punters despite winning by a length and a half at Leopardstown, and while some firms cut Recital into 9/2, we’re not impressed and punters can back him at 7/1.

O’Brien was pleased with Recital who laboured and hung badly when reaching the front, and punters will be expecting to see a better performance from O’Brien’s other Derby hopeful, Seville, who runs in the Dante on Thursday.

7/1 to win the Derby, Seville has been backed into joint 2/1 favourite alongside Carlton House for Thursday’s Dante Stakes and he seems the more likely of the O’Brien runners to run strongly in the Derby.

Recital will not be seem now until Epsom on June 4th and there’s a strong possibility the horse will be a big negative in the betting on the day depending on how the three market leaders in the Dante Stakes run on Thursday.

While Recital’s performance may not have won many admirers, his trainer saddled the first three home in the Leopardstown trial and his yard is in the greatest of form.

Recital’s win takes O’Brien’s tally to 15 winners from 75 runners in Ireland this season and the Irish trainer’s prize money for the season is already around the £575,000 mark.

In Great Britain O’Brien has saddled just 12 horses in flat races this season but has already had four winners and his hand is strong for the Derby.

A £10 stake on Seville winning the Derby would return £80. New customers can sign up here to take advantage of a Derby free bet worth up to £30.