Cape Blanco for French Derby

AIDAN O'Brien has confirmed Cape Blanco is to miss the Investec Derby in favour of the French version 24 hours later.

Since winning the Dante at York, O'Brien had mooted the possibility that the unbeaten colt could miss the Epsom Classic in favour of the Prix du Jockey Club and that decision has now been confirmed. Cape Blanco will be joined in France by Viscount Nelson. The Ballydoyle handler also stated that stable jockey Johnny Murtagh will ride new Derby favourite Jan Vermeer at Epsom, with Colm O'Donoghue on Midas Touch and Seamie Heffernan aboard At First Sight.