Pierre Bonnard can be Derby hero for O’Brien

Pierre Bonnard is backed to provide Aidan O’Brien with a record-extending 12th win in the Betfred Derby at Epsom oln Saturday.

The master of Ballydoyle has become the dominant player in the sport’s premier Classic, with nine of his dozen victories achieved in the last 14 years.

Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini is very much O’Brien’s chief hope this time around and he is undoubtedly the one to beat – but Wings Of Eagles (2017), Anthony Van Dyck (2019), Serpentine (2020) and last year’s victor Lambourn have all upset better fancied stablemates in recent years and Pierre Bonnard could be next in line.

It is not as though the son of 2012 Derby hero Camelot is coming from left field entirely. In fact he was the winter favourite for the Derby after signing off his juvenile campaign with a Group One win in France.

Successive defeats this spring have dented his credentials, but his second run when narrowly beaten at Leopardstown was much better than his first and O’Brien has been steadfast in his belief that the best is yet to come from a horse who has been tenderly handled so far this year due to his physique.

If the ground was quick Benvenuto Cellini would in all probability have too much class, but with the rain having arrived in recent days it is no great surprise the money has come for Pierre Bonnard and he might be about to come of age over what will be a testing 2400m.

The Coolmore Coronation Cup throws up a fascinating rematch between last year’s one-two Jan Brueghel and Calandagan – and while the latter is unbeaten in five Group One starts since, the underfoot conditions and make-up of the race might just tip the scales in Jan Brueghel’s favour again.

Calandagan was a hot favourite to avenge that defeat at the start of this week, but the rain has to be a worry for a horse whose biggest weapon is his speed and the Ballydoyle trio of Jan Brueghel, dual Derby hero Lambourn and likely pacesetter Illinois will ensure this a demanding affair.

Jan Brueghel enjoyed the ideal preparation for the defence of his title with a comfortable win in Chester’s Ormonde Stakes and should prove a tough nut to crack.

Alcantor is of interest in the Group Three Betfred Tattenham Corner Stakes.

The five-year-old won three times at this level when trained in France by Andre Fabre. He was also beaten just 0.5-lengths in the French 2000 Guineas a couple of years ago and was only a length off Group One success in the Prix du Moulin last season.

His first start for Joseph O’Brien at Leopardstown last month was not without promise and that should put him spot-on for this assignment.

Shes Perfect will certainly not be winning out of turn if she can strike gold in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes.

The Charlie Fellowes-trained filly memorably passed the post in front in last year’s French 1000 Guineas before being demoted by the stewards, after which the French Oaks proved too much of a stamina test and she then suffered a season-ending injury.

Her comeback third at Goodwood five weeks ago suggests her ability remains intact and this looks a good opportunity for her to get a deserved Pattern race win to her name.

In a typically competitive renewal of the Betfred ‘Dash’ Handicap, the vote goes to the William Haggas-trained Kinswoman, who has finished in the first three in nine of her 10 races to date and ought to be heavily involved again.

La Brodeuse made a hugely positive stable debut for Kevin Ryan when second in a Group Three at Lingfield last month and can go one better in the Edinburgh Gin Queen Of Scots British EBF Fillies’ Stakes at Musselburgh, while leading jockey William Buick is at Doncaster rather than Epsom and can make the trip north worthwhile by steering Study Of Words to success in the Solar Xpress Handicap.

SELECTIONS:

EPSOM: Race 1 – 14.30 Alcantor, Race 2 – 15.05 Shes Perfect, Race 3 – 15.40 Jan Brueghel, Race 4 – 16.15 Kinswoman, Race 5 – 17.00 PIERRE BONNARD (NAP), Race 6 – 17.40 Pendella, Race 7 – 18.20 Spinning Wheel, Race 8 – 18.55 Fine