‘Army of supporters can’t get enough’ of Epsom Derby horse as bookies forced to slash odds again
BOOKIES have been forced to slash the odds on a huge Epsom Derby fancy again – as they said his ‘army of supporters can’t get enough’.
Aidan O’Brien’s City Of Troy has been cut to 3-1 from 9-2 after flopping completely in the 2000 Guineas.
The son of Justify finished a well-beaten nine of 12, some 17 lengths behind Charlie Appleby’s Notable Speech.
O’Brien was flabbergasted by the complete no-show from the 4-6 favourite, who his handler had said was the best two-year-old he had ever trained.
And it appears punters are willing to forgive him one blip with the promise of an epic bounce back in the Derby.
The world’s most prestigious Flat race will take place on June 1 – and after a surge of money it looks like City Of Troy will go off favourite for the second Classic in a row.
Spokesperson for William Hill, Lee Phelps, said: “Despite his no-show in the Qipco 2000 Guineas, City Of Troy’s army of supporters can’t get enough of him for the Derby.
“He’s now the 3-1 favourite with William Hill for Epsom, in from 9-2.
“Time will tell if this is smart money, but as we’ve said before, Auguste Rodin’s Derby triumph proves that Aidan O’Brien can work wonders after a Classic defeat.
“Away from City Of Troy, we’re keeping a close eye on the other Ballydoyle Derby contenders looking to book their Epsom berths.
“Illinois has been backed from 40-1 into 20-1 for the Derby, so it’ll be fascinating to see how he goes in the William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday.”
Epsom Derby odds via William Hill
3-1 City Of Troy
7-2 Arabian Crown
8-1 Ancient Wisdom
10-1 Henry Longfellow
14-1 Capulet
16-1 God’s Window, Diego Velazquez
20-1 Bellum Justum, Illinois, Defiance, Los Angeles
25-1 Bar
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