High Definition, who was the 3-1 favourite for the Epsom Derby next month, will miss the Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday. His intended reappearance was due to be a crucial prep run for the Classic. However, his pre-race blood tests just weren’t satisfactory according to master handler Aidan O’Brien.
High Definition has always been at the head of the market for the Classic since winning the Group Two Beresford Stakes at the Curragh last September. It was an astonishing performance, coming from what looked like an impossible position to win going away.
The news that he would miss his intended trial broke on Wednesday evening and at the time of writing he is now a 7-1 chance.
“I’m not sure where he might run,” Aidan O’Brien said. “We’ll just have to wait and see how things go over the coming days really. We’ll have to play it by ear and see how he is when things settle down.”
With serious doubts surrounding the participation of High Definition, one Ballydoyle runner sticks out like a sore thumb. Balshoi Ballet could well go off favourite for the Classic next month and he looks a star in the making.
The three-year-old Galileo colt bolstered his Derby claims with a stunning success in the Ballysax Stakes last month. Sent off the 2-1 favourite on the day, Ryan Moore allowed him to track the front-running Catena Zapata for the majority of the 10-furlong contest before taking over the lead two furlongs out.
He hit the line hard that day which would suggest that a Derby test could be ideal for him. Now an 11-2 chance, he has overtaken High Definition as the most fancied Aidan O’Brien-trained runner in the market.
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