The United States No Derby Contender

Derby now a Distant Dream for The United States

On a day of mixed fortunes for Ballydoyle, the well touted The United States proved a massive disappointment and now looks a most unlikely Investec Derby contender judged on his lack lustre effort in finishing only sixth of the eight-runner field behind the impressive Fort Knox in the Leopardstown 2000 Guineas Trial Stakes.

A 20/1 shot on Betfair.com for the Epsom Derby prior to his laboured effort, The United States is now available at up to 40/1 in places for the blue riband contest with few people seemingly rushing to take a price.

In touch with the leading trio to halfway in the soft ground, the son of Galileo was soon niggled along by Joseph O'Brien as the pace lifted but could find no change of gear as the leaders drew further away from him, eventually coming home nearly seven lengths behind the Tommy Carmody-trained winner.

A battling head victor on his only previous start in similar ground conditions at the Curragh last July, O'Brien's charge ran in cheekpieces, a sign that maybe he has proved far from straight forward at home.

The market vibes were not encouraging as he drifted from even money during morning trading to an SP of 7/4, an indication of a basic lack of confidence in his chance. The half-brother to the very useful filly Fire Lily now has a great deal to prove.

Things did get significantly better for the O'Brien yard on the Derby front later in the day when their Battle of Marengo pleased most observers with a smooth victory in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes over a mile-and-a-quarter. He is now a general 10/1 shot (from 14's) in the in-play hints to give Ballydoyle another day to remember at Epsom on the first Saturday in June.

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Posted by Andy at Bet1015.com on 16/04/2013