The Irish Derby at the Curragh this Sunday (29 June) is shaping up as a heavyweight rematch—and potential coronation—for Lambourn, the colt who destroyed his rivals from the front in this month’s G1 Derby at Epsom. Trained by the legendary Aidan O’Brien and now set to be ridden by Ryan Moore, Lambourn is looking to prove that his authoritative victory in the English Classic was no one-off.

If successful, he would become just the 20th horse in history to complete the Epsom-Curragh Derby double and give O’Brien a staggering 17th Irish Derby title—yet another jewel in the crown for the Ballydoyle maestro. Moore replaces Wayne Lordan, who takes the reins on Puppet Master, the most promising of O’Brien’s four other runners.

Much of the intrigue this weekend lies in the reappearance of Lazy Griff and Tennessee Stud, second and third respectively behind Lambourn at Epsom. Both are back to challenge the Derby winner over 2400m once more, this time at the Curragh’s more galloping layout.

Lazy Griff, now with William Buick aboard, may require some give in the ground to show his best. As for Tennessee Stud, while beaten nearly five lengths by Lambourn at Epsom, his late-running style that day suggests he could be a factor if this turns into a war of attrition. Trainer Joseph O’Brien will be hoping for a stamina test to suit his colt, who covered the most ground of any runner that day.

Still, there are options beyond the familiar faces from Epsom. Enter Green Impact, a colt with a different profile entirely. Trained by 78-year-old Jessica Harrington—racing under her formal license name, Mrs John Harrington—Green Impact steps up in distance for the first time. But there’s quiet confidence from her and jockey Shane Foley that the son of Wootton Bassett will relish the extra ground.

“He’s really progressed since the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket,” Harrington said. “Even from his Listed win at Leopardstown, he’s taken a big step forward.”

Foley, hungry for a major win in a relatively quiet season, added: “Lambourn will be hard to beat, no doubt, but Green Impact is ice-cool and I think he’ll eat up the mile and a half.”

Verdict: Lambourn sets a high bar and will take catching if allowed to dictate, but Tennessee Stud and Green Impact could be value threats if the tempo heats up.

Image: Bill Denver/Eclipse Sportswire/Breeders Cup