Latest news with #TheLionInWinter
Daily Mirror
2 days ago
- Sport
- Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien shuts down rumours after huge change in the Derby betting market
The leading trainer in the Derby with ten wins, O'Brien has favourite Delacroix, The Lion In Winter and Lambourn going forward to Epsom's premier Classic this year as his main contenders Aidan O'Brien has shut down rumours that demoted ante-post favourite The Lion In Winter will miss the Derby at Epsom. The Acomb winner drifted to double-figure odds of 12-1 on Friday, having been 5-2 with William Hill at the start of the week. Spokesman Lee Phelps described the horse as "totally friendless" in the betting on a day that left a question mark hanging over his participation. But O'Brien has since told ITV Racing that The Lion In Winter, beaten at odds on in the Dante when last seen, will run in the Classic. "My exact words to Aidan were 'Is The Lion In Winter doubtful now?' said presenter Matt Chapman. "His response was to that 'on-course Matt' with a thumbs-up emoji." Some punters responded by taking the bigger prices on offer for the colt, who had 2,000 Guineas titleholder Ruling Court behind when scoring in Group Three company as a juvenile. Paddy Power spokesman Paul Binfield suggested The Lion In Winter's price might have lengthened after O'Brien - top handler in the showpiece event with ten victories - said stable jockey Ryan Moore would find it hard to overlook Delacroix. The strong stayer has finished with a clear advantage in two trials on home turf at Leopardstown. Binfield said on Saturday morning: "We're a little bit in the dark as to why The Lion In Winter drifted, although Aidan O'Brien's comments on riding plans was a key factor. "I think this morning the punters were thinking the price was just too big about a horse with a huge reputation." The Lion In Winter is 7-1 for a possible clash with three horses who finished in front of him in his prep race - winner Pride Of Arras (4-1), runner-up Damysus (10-1) and fifth-placed Nightwalker (25-1). Aidan O'Brien said beforehand he expected his horse to "improve a ton" after a delayed start to the campaign which saw him miss the Guineas on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket. But he added that stamina for 1m 4f could be a question mark: "He doesn't work like a mile-and-a-half horse really, he works like a miler. "I know most horses by Sea The Stars do stay, but obviously we're going to have to wait and see first before we can be really sure of anything."
Irish Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Sport
- Irish Daily Mirror
Aidan O'Brien star a huge drifter in betting markets ahead of Epsom Derby
Aidan O'Brien's The Lion In Winter has been a big drifter in the betting markets ahead of next week's Betfred Derby at Epsom. The Lion in Winter was the ante-post favourite for the classic throughout the winter, having enjoyed an unbeaten two-year-old campaign. Sent off the 8/11 favourite for the Dante Stakes at York earlier this month, the son of Sea The Stars flattered to deceive in finishing sixth of 11 runners. O'Brien reassured the racing public after his charge's season debut that he would be a different proposition come the Derby. But the trainer's faith in the horse has not been reciprocated in the betting markets over the last twenty-four hours. Having been 7/2 for the Epsom showpiece on Thursday night, The Lion In Winter's price has drifted to as big as 12/1 in places as of Friday evening. Consequently, the three-year-old's stablemate Delacroix, an impressive winner of a derby trial at Leopardstown last time out, has hardened into the clear favourite and looks set to have Ryan Moore on board. Betfred spokesperson Matt Hulmes said: 'There has been a lot of movement in both Betfred classic markets for next weekend at Epsom. 'The vibes surrounding The Lion In Winter in the market are far from positive which feels a lot more than jockey talk which preceded the earlier moves this week. The long time Ante Post favourite is out to 6/1, bigger than he was immediately following his Dante effort at York. 'Significant support has come for the other Ballydoyle pair. Delacroix is now a solid 15/8 favourite with Chester Vase winner Lambourn cut to 11/1 from 16/1. 'Betfred 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court has also seen his first movement since Newmarket and is now joint-second favourite at 4/1 alongside Dante winner Pride Of Arras." Likewise, Alex Apati of Ladbrokes said: "It's a tale of two market movers for Aidan O'Brien, and while Delacroix continues to pull away from the chasing pack, The Lion In Winter's Epsom Derby chances have taken a battering over the last few days, if the latest odds are anything to go by."
The Sun
3 days ago
- Business
- The Sun
Aidan O'Brien's massive Derby favourite a huge drifter in the market as stablemate is smashed in
WINTER'S OVER Punters are siding with only one of the runners Sam Morgan Published: 14:18, Updated: 14:19, AIDAN O'BRIEN'S massive Derby favourite The Lion In Winter is a huge drifter in the market. And stablemate Delacroix has been smashed into favourite. 1 Acomb Stakes winner The Lion In Winter - who flopped in the Dante at York - is out to a huge 11 (10-1) on the Betfair Exchange. While Coral reported a surge of bets for Coolmore-owned Delacroix, who looks like being the mount of Ryan Moore. Coral's David Stevens said: "Since Aidan O'Brien's comments earlier this week that Ryan Moore would find it difficult not to ride Delacroix at Epsom, the Leopardstown Trial winner has been the best-backed Derby contender by far. "He has regained outright favouritism for the Classic, in contrast to The Lion In Winter, who has now been eased to 6-1 for next Saturday's race." More to follow. . Remember to gamble responsibly
The Irish Sun
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Irish Sun
Aidan O'Brien's massive Derby favourite a huge drifter in the market as stablemate is smashed in
AIDAN O'BRIEN'S massive Derby favourite The Lion In Winter is a huge drifter in the market. And stablemate Delacroix has been smashed into favourite. 1 The Lion In Winter, the long-time favourite for the Derby, is a huge drifter in the market Credit: Getty Acomb Stakes winner The Lion In Winter - who flopped in the Dante at York - is out to a huge 11 (10-1) on the Betfair Exchange. While Coral reported a surge of bets for Coolmore-owned Delacroix, who looks like being the mount of Ryan Moore. Coral's David Stevens said: "Since Aidan O'Brien's comments earlier this week that Ryan Moore would find it difficult not to ride Delacroix at Epsom, the Leopardstown Trial winner has been the best-backed Derby contender by far. "He has regained outright favouritism for the Classic, in contrast to The Lion In Winter, who has now been eased to 6-1 for next Saturday's race." More to follow. FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. . Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here. Most read in Horse Racing
Scottish Sun
6 days ago
- Sport
- Scottish Sun
Aidan O'Brien sparks dramatic Derby gamble with Ryan Moore comments ahead of £1.5million Epsom blockbuster
Click to share on X/Twitter (Opens in new window) Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) AIDAN O'BRIEN has sparked a massive Derby gamble with his comments about Ryan Moore before the £1.5million Epsom blockbuster. O'Brien's longtime market leader The Lion In Winter drifted markedly after his poor Dante showing earlier this month before being backed in again. Sign up for Scottish Sun newsletter Sign up 1 Whichever of the Aidan O'Brien horses Ryan Moore picks for the Derby will likely go off favourite - and bookies think they know who it will be Credit: PA While the move for that horse saw O'Brien's hugely exciting two-time Group 3 winner Delacroix move the other way. However, Delacroix's striking manner of victory in two runs this season and his work at home has led O'Brien to speculate who Moore could choose. Moore, as the Ballydoyle No1 jockey, always has the pick of the best O'Brien horses. The buzz ahead of this year's race will be all about who he opts for ahead of the world's most prestigious Flat race on June 7. Bookies Betfair make him 4-6 to choose Delacroix, 11-10 The Lion In Winter and 25-1 Lambourn, all three of O'Brien's intended runners. The Ballydoyle boss said: "Ryan will make his mind up as late as he can. "Obviously, I'd imagine it's between Delacroix and The Lion In Winter. "At the moment, I would say it would be hard for him not to ride Delacroix, but that's not to say he won't. "He'll have to see how The Lion In Winter is, where they are both drawn and stuff like that." That sparked another switch at the top of the market, that also includes Ralph Beckett's brilliant Dante winner Pride Of Arras and Charlie Appleby's 2000 Guineas hero Ruling Court. Coral's David Stevens said: "The Lion In Winter had been backed into clear favouritism for the Derby despite his defeat in the Dante, but Aidan O'Brien's comments that he thought it would be hard for Ryan Moore not to ride Delacroix - while not a definitive jockey booking - has seen the Leopardstown Trial winner take over again at the head of the betting." While Ladbrokes' Alex Apati commented: "All eyes will be on Ryan Moore's next move ahead of the Epsom Derby, but the current odds suggest he'll have the pick of the two favourites in Delacroix and The Lion In Winter." Derby odds via Coral 5-2 Delacroix 7-2 The Lion In Winter 4-1 Pride Of Arras, Ruling Court 10-1 Damysus 16-1 Lambourn 20-1 Stanhope Gardens 25-1 Wimbledon Hawkeye 33-1 Puppet Master, Stay True 40-1 Bar FREE BETS - GET THE BEST SIGN UP DEALS AND RACING OFFERS Commercial content notice: Taking one of the offers featured in this article may result in a payment to The Sun. You should be aware brands pay fees to appear in the highest placements on the page. 18+. T&Cs apply. Remember to gamble responsibly A responsible gambler is someone who: Establishes time and monetary limits before playing Only gambles with money they can afford to lose Never chases their losses Doesn't gamble if they're upset, angry or depressed Gamcare – Gamble Aware – Find our detailed guide on responsible gambling practices here.
