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Australia ridden by Joseph O'Brien winning the Investec Derby. Adam DavyPA Wire/Press Association Images

Weather likely to be Australia's only threat in the Irish Derby

The odds on favourite may yet withdraw if the rain continues.

AS AIDAN O’BRIEN looks to train his 11th Irish Derby winner today, it seems the continuing rain will prove the biggest threat to the Ballydoyle maestro.

Having recently claimed Australia (2/7) as the best Derby horse he’s ever trained, O’Brien will hope the ground stays good so the son of Galileo and Ouija Board has the opportunity to emulate the former and pull off the double following an impressive win in the Epsom Derby already this year.

However, the Irish weather threatens to spoil the party with O’Brien suggesting the three-year old won’t be risked if the ground turns soft.

Rain would, however, suit Australia’s biggest threat Kingston Hill (4/1) who finished second in Epsom and who ran on strongly when many may have expected the Roger Varian trained challenger to be blown away with the rest of the field.

With eight of the last 11 winners coming from the top two in the market, it’s difficult to look elsewhere for value but Orchestra (33/1) could surprise. Admittedly, he was terrible at Epsom but beat Romsdal to the Chester Vase and Romsdal went on to place third in the Derby.

The Irish Derby takes place at 17.30 tomorrow at the Curragh.

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Steve O'Rourke
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