O’Brien runs rule over jockeys for Derby

WILLIAM BUICK, James Doyle and Adam Kirby are in the frame to pick up Investec Derby rides for Aidan O’Brien’s powerful squad.

While Ryan Moore will get first pick of the Ballydoyle challengers, there could be some potentially top-class spare rides available as coronavirus quarantine measures mean the likes of Seamus Heffernan may be unlikely to travel to Britain.

O’Brien has three Derby entries with similar chances according to the bookmakers in Mogul, Royal Ascot winner Russian Emperor and Irish Guineas runner-up Vatican City.

Others in the Classic include Saturday’s Curragh winner

Serpentine, Amhran Na Bhfiann, who is a brother to Oaks winner Was, Mythical and Armory, although the latter may yet run in Sunday’s French Derby.

“We don’t know what Ryan will ride. He’ll always make that decision late,” said O’Brien.

“He’ll look at the draws, we’ll tell him what we think might happen, but it’s been different this year because Ryan isn’t here [working at Ballydoyle].

“Obviously he’ll make his decision late and then we’ll put everyone else on what we think will suit.

“We have James Doyle, William Buick and Adam Kirby and we have some of our own people, then we just have to decide what we want to do that way because with the restrictions at the moment, they can’t ride for two weeks.

“There is a chance the restrictions will be lifted, but if they are not, they won’t be able to ride until after the Irish Oaks. If they are lifted they might be able to ride the following weekend.

“It’s all a little up in the air and we just need to see what is going to happen.”