Bolshoi Ballet to be O'Brien's Sole Derby Runner

Aidan O'Brien has revealed a major shift in plans for the June 5 Cazoo Derby (G1) on the eve of the classic's declaration stage, with Bolshoi Ballet  likely to be his only runner among six possible candidates he had left in the race.

Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante (G2) third High Definition , who had been the long-range Derby favorite over the winter before his stablemate surged to the head of the market with impressive victories at Leopardstown this season, appears likely to wait for the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1).

Speaking on Wednesday afternoon, O'Brien told the Racing Post: "Things could change before 10 a.m., but at the moment it looks as though there's going to be one runner for us at Epsom on Saturday, Bolshoi Ballet. It looks like High Definition will come to the Curragh for the Irish Derby."

The trainer, who has won the Derby a record eight times across the last two decades, added: "It means there's a little bit of extra time for High Definition and the two of them are getting a shot for the first time at a Derby each. That's not to say that the horse from Epsom (Bolshoi Ballet) wouldn't come back to the Curragh as well."

After news he would likely be Ballydoyle's only representative in the race, Bolshoi Ballet was shortened to evens favorite.

Expanding on the reasoning behind the decision to bypass Epsom with last season's Alan Smurfit Memorial Beresford Stakes (G2) winner, O'Brien said: "We think High Definition is very versatile; we don't think it's a track thing. We think he's very good horse.

"A little extra time definitely won't do him any harm. It was to give the two of them a chance until they have to meet. The Irish Derby is a very important race, as is the Derby at Epsom. It's the lads' choice and they obviously can make the choice."

He added: "We were lucky to get the run into him at York and if we hadn't, we wouldn't have had a decision to make because he couldn't go to Epsom. He got the run and then we had a decision to make."

The news means that O'Brien could have only one runner in the race for the first time since 2004.

The Ballydoyle handler said of his other entrants in the race: "Sir Lamorak will go to Royal Ascot, probably for the King Edward VII (G2) or one of those races. Kyprios will go there as well for the Queen's Vase (G2).

"Van Gogh  will head to France for the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby, G1) with St Mark's Basilica . The Mediterranean is declared for the Nijinsky Stakes at Leopardstown on Thursday."