Jan Vermeer eases into the Derby picture with comfortable Curragh win

Aidan O'Brien tightened his grip on next month's Derby even further when Jan Vermeer took the Gallinule Stakes on the supporting card at The Curragh and is now a best-priced 8-1 co-second favourite for the Investec-sponsored Classic. Despite conceding 7lb, the Montjeu colt was comfortably too good for some promising rivals, quickening clear at the furlong-pole under Johnny Murtagh and being eased down to score without ever being asked for maximum effort. With St Nicholas Abbey (2-1) heading the market and Cape Blanco and Midas Touch both 8-1, O'Brien now has the first four in the betting for the Epsom race on 5 June, although one or more of that quartet may be diverted to France for the Prix du Jockey-Club the next day. "We'd like to divide them between Epsom and France," said the trainer. "The lads [Coolmore's owners] have to decide that. They'll listen to everybody and hopefully come up with the right split."