There has been a shake-up in the ownership of some of the leading members of the 2010 crop in Europe. Heading the list is of course Dawn Approach, whose silks changed from those of Mrs. Jim Bolger to those of Godolphin back in the Summer of 2012. That is no doubt stale news, but more recently Epsom Derby runner-up, Libertarian, like Dawn Approach a son of New Approach, has joined the Godolphin roster. Winner earlier this season of the important Betfred Dante Stakes (10 fur. 88 yds.), the progressive colt will move out of trainer Elaine Burke's Leyburn yard in Yorkshire to an unspecified establishment once he completes his engagement in the €1.25 million Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (2400 m.) at the Curragh on Saturday, June 29^th.

Given his form, and the fact that he has been supplemented at the hefty cost of €75,000.00, he would have a serious shot at the spoils in the Irish equivalent of the "Blue Riband". At both his last two starts the up-and-coming William Buick has been at the controls and there is no change of pilot here. The trainer's husband, Karl Burke, spoke for connections when he said: "He’s well and he’s definitely taken a step forward after the Derby….He looks tremendous and, though he’s not a great work horse at home and never has been, he’s showing us all the right signs. As far as I know it’s his last run for us." The colt is quoted at 7 to 2.

To ensure that there is no dawdling in the field of just nine runners, Godolphin have also supplemented Cap O'Rushes (by New Approach), whose relative lack of credentials for a victory are reflected in his current price of 66 to 1. Pat Smullen has been booked to steer the Saeed bin Suroor-trainee. The pair of late entries represent the only British challengers for the rich prize and there are sadly none from the Continent. No wholly British-trained runner has obliged in the past two decades.

Yet another who will be sporting new colours, those of Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum, is Sugar Boy (by Authorized) who shifted allegiance in a deal brokered by Blandford Bloodstock. This winner of 4 of his last 5 races had beaten both Libertarian and Epsom Derby third Galileo Rock (by Galileo) – who re-opposes here – in the bet365 Classic Trial Stakes at Sandown in April. That gives him as good a chance as any, and he is at 9 to 1.

Like Libertarian, he is scheduled to be relocated following his forthcoming run in the Irish Derby. Current trainer Patrick Prendergast, whose grandfather "Paddy" Prendergast sent out four horses, including Ragusa and Meadow Court, to victory in this race in years gone by, said: "We will continue to train him for the Irish Derby. That is what we’re focussing on and it would be absolutely great if he can go and win it. He’s in great form. He’s been a great servant to us, we’ll be sorry to see him leave, but there will be no long faces as we do sell horses on." On Saturday, the consistent colt will be partnered, as on his last five starts, by Chris Hayes, a face familiar to Indian racegoers, particularly in Bangalore.

An Irish classic without a runner from Jim Bolger is almost unthinkable and his representative here is home-bred Trading Leather (by Teofilo), who races in wife's name. The veteran schooler has a previous tick mark against his name in this race after his ward St. Jovite proved triumphant back in 1992, and is hoping lightning strikes twice. As usual, son-in-law Kevin Manning rides the 5 to 1 chance, last seen in front in the TRM Silver Stakes (10 fur.) on the same track 20 days ago. “Trading Leather has come out of that race in great shape and is ready to take his chance on Saturday," said his breeder-trainer.

John Oxx is not known for running his charges indiscriminately. So when the painstaking trainer, who also shelters Jacqueline's son Primogeniture, runs Little White Cloud (by Dalakhani) in the Derby, one must take notice. "He's an outsider but is a nice horse and ran well in two trials," said Oxx, referring to his ward's placed efforts in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial Stakes and the Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes in May. "He ran well behind Battle Of Marengo at Leopardstown and that was just four weeks after he had a bit of a virus. It was plenty soon enough to run him and I thought he ran well." The grey colt, a 40 to 1 outsider, might develop into a really good horse with time and added distance.

It would be a real travesty of form if Ralston Road (by Dylan Thomas) were to surprise at 100 to 1. The J.P. Shanahan-trained runner was a distant eighth over 2 miles just last week at Royal Ascot, and while he was consistent earlier this season, his best rating is at least 25 points lower than the figure required, in a normal year, to win here. Usual rider Tadhg O'Shea will continue to partner him.

All the remaining runners hail from a couple of yards in Cashel, Co. Tipperary. From Longfield, to its north, comes David Wachman's Galileo Rock, who put in a grand effort in the Epsom Derby to be a close third. Not comfortable on the uneven camber of Epsom, the grandson of Groom Dancer ought to prefer the gentler contours of the Curragh. Rider Wayne Lordan will be trying to gain his maiden victory in Ireland's premier classic, and the pair are expected to start at around 7 to 1.

That brings us to the duo from Ballydoyle, just to the south of Cashel. This is the home of Aidan O'Brien, the most successful trainer in the history of the Irish Derby. Ten trophies decorate his mantelpiece, which include those for the seven most recent renewals. Indeed, one has to go back to Hurricane Run in 2005 to find the name of another trainer (Andre Fabre) on the scroll of honour.

Sixteen horses have completed the Epsom Derby-Irish Derby double and all the portents are in favour of this tally rising to seventeen by Saturday evening. An 11 to 10 favourite here, the unbeaten Ruler Of The World (by Galileo) showed significant improvement when he scored at Epsom, accelerating smoothly under Ryan Moore. Whether Libertarian, who was gaining ground rapidly that day, will be able to turn the tables, will be known after the race. It's worth remembering that Libertarian will be making his fifth start of the current campaign and it's hard, though not impossible, to retain peak form that long; moreover, he had been beaten by both Sugar Boy and Galileo Rock at Sandown in April.

Returning to the aptly-named Ruler Of The World, O'Brien sounded bullish at a press conference: “We have been very happy with him since Epsom and he is our main hope for Saturday’s race. He impressed us at Epsom and we think the Curragh will suit him even better.” His son, Joseph, who chose the wrong one at Epsom (Battle Of Marengo, fourth there), replaces Ryan Moore astride the favourite.

The stable, which frequently runs more than one runner in the big races, has also pitched in Festive Cheer (by Montjeu), beaten about 12 lengths at Epsom. One supposes he will join Cap O'Rushes in ensuring that the pace remains honest.  

Weighing up the race, it's clear that it would be hard to oppose Aidan O'Brien on logical grounds. However, given that "a bet is not a good one until it is hedged", an each-way saver on Galileo Rock might prove worthwhile.