Aidan O’Brien’s massive Derby favourite sees odds skyrocket as stablemate ‘pulls away’ at head of market for £1.5m race

AIDAN O’BRIEN’S massive Derby favourite The Lion In Winter is a huge drifter in the market.

And stablemate Delacroix has replaced him amid a staggering surge of bets – with another O’Brien runner being backed too.

Acomb Stakes winner The Lion In Winter – who flopped in key trial the Dante at York – was out to a huge 11 (10-1) on the Betfair Exchange at the time of writing.

He was made clear 8-1 favourite for the Derby in August last year after he broke the track record at York.

But nine months on, Coral reported a flurry of money for Coolmore-owned stablemate Delacroix, who looks like being the mount of Ryan Moore in the world’s most prestigious race.

The firm’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.”

While Alex Apati of Ladbrokes commented: “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.”

And Betfred spokesperson Matt Hulmes added ominously: “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.”

Some bookies went as big as 7-1 for The Lion In Winter, who had spent months at the head of the betting.

Derby sponsors Betfred are just 15-8 Delacroix, who has been mighty impressive in two wins this season and looks like he will have no problem with the 1m4f trip and undulating track.

While there was also a significant market move for O’Brien’s other Derby runner Lambourn, who was 20-1 this morning but is now as short as 9s.

The Lion In Winter was keen and all over the shop in the Dante on his return from 267 days off.

O’Brien, who has seen superstar stayer Kyprios retired just weeks ahead of a tilt at a third Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, insisted the run wasn’t as bad as it looked.

But, much like Kyprios, it appears the markets are telling the story ahead of next Saturday’s £1.5million blockbuster race.

Commenting previously on who he thinks No1 jockey Moore will ride, Ballydoyle boss O’Brien 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.”

Epsom Derby odds via Betfred

15-8 Delacroix
4-1 Ruling Court, Pride Of Arras
6-1 The Lion In Winter
10-1 Damysus
11-1 Lambourn
16-1 Stanhope Gardens
25-1 bar

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