O'Brien Confident Moore will Pick Bolshoi Ballet

Ahead of next weekend's Gr1 Investec Derby in England, Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O'Brien appears confident jockey Ryan Moore will be aboard short-priced favourite Bolshoi Ballet (Galileo-Alta Anna, by Anabaa). Whilst leaving the ultimate decision to Moore as to which of the powerful stable's Derby entries he wants to ride, O'Brien believes it's very difficult to look beyond the recent impressive Gr3 Derrinstown Stud winner. In the traditional Derby trial, Bolshoi Ballet finished a commanding 7-lengths clear of Gr1 Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Mac Swiney (New Approach) who finished fourth. According to racingpost.com, O'Brien explained, "We don't ever put Ryan under any pressure but everything has gone well with Bolshoi Ballet so far, and obviously High Definition's (Galileo) preparation was a bit interrupted. Nothing is set in stone until he makes that decision, but Ryan will have to make that call himself." Searching for a tenth Epsom Derby winner, O'Brien currently has up to eight possible entries remaining for what is one of the most famous races in the world. Bolshoi Ballet is a little shorter than $3 to bring the trophy home ahead of stablemate High Definition ($5), a 3YO his trainer describes as being "probably a longer horse, a little more scopey…"