Weld worried as Harzand heads nine in Irish Derby

Harzand showed plenty of courage to win the Derby at Epsom. Picture courtesy of Racingfotos.com

Harzand heads a field of nine runners for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday.

The Dermot Weld-trained colt overcame a late injury scare to win the Investec Derby at Epsom this month. He battled hard to repel US Army Ranger and Idaho, and will meet the latter, who re-opposes, for the third time in seven weeks.

Weld is concerned the Derby, which forms part of the QIPCO British Champions Series, might have left a mark on Harzand and has said that, ideally, he would have liked to have given the son of Sea The Stars more time to recover.

Weld said: “Every little bit of rain that falls will help, but my worry is really not the ground.

“My biggest worry is he is very tough, but he had a very hard race at Epsom, it left its mark on him and I’d love another week.

“He’s well and at the moment, he’s been declared and we’ll review it from there.

“As we have seen with US Army Ranger [scratched on Wednesday after an unsatisfactory scope], anything can happen.”

Weld will also be represented by Ebediyin, who did not quite get home when fifth in the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot last week.

With US Army Ranger ruled out, Aidan O’Brien relies on Epsom third Idaho, Port Douglas, Shogun and Claudio Monteverdi.

Jim Bolger is double-handed with Epsom disappointment Moonlight Magic joined by Stellar Mass. The only British-trained contender is Ed Dunlop’s Red Verdon, who was supplemented after finishing sixth at Epsom.