Vermeer replaces Abbey as favourite for Derby
JOHNNY MURTAGH is to delay a decision on his Investec Derby mount after St Nicholas Abbey failed to sparkle on the Ballydoyle gallops on Friday morning - and punters reacted to the news by backing stablemate Jan Vermeer into favouritism for next week's Epsom Classic.
William Hill report plenty of interest in Jan Vermeer and now make last Sunday's impressive Airlie Stud Gallinule Stakes winner their 11-4 favourite with St Nicholas Abbey out to 3-1 (from 7-4).
The firm's spokeswoman Kate Miller said: "The punters have forced our hand with Jan Vermeer this morning and no amount of manoeuvring has stemmed the tide of money for him. Punters, it seems, have forgotten all about St Nicholas Abbey.''
Betfred, Blue Square and Paddy Power are toeing the same line as William Hill, making Jan Vermeer 5-2 favourite and St Nicholas Abbey a 3-1 shot.
The flip-flopping favourites comes in the wake of a downbeat bulletin from Ballydoyle on St Nicholas Abbey's workout earlier in the day.
Speaking at 12.45pm on Friday, trainer Aidan O'Brien said: "Johnny rode St Nicholas Abbey this morning and felt the colt might not have shown the same sparkle as he did when he rode him on Tuesday morning.
"Consequently, he won't be making up his mind about what he will ride in the Derby until the middle of next week."
O'Brien confirmed that running plans for Jan Vermeer and Cape Blanco, both of whom hold entries in the Derby and the Prix du Jockey Club the following day, will not be made until the middle of next week.
