Duke De Sessa© Photo Healy Racing
Jockey Chris Hayes is hopeful stepping Duke De Sessa up to the 1m4f Irish Derby distance could bring about improvement in the Dermot Weld-trained colt, ahead of Saturday's showpiece race.
By Lope De Vega and a Group 3-winning juvenile at 1m1f, the Newtown Anner Stud-owned colt finished fifth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last month but is now likely to revert back up in distance.
Jockey Hayes, who partnered Weld's Homeless Songs to an impressive win in the Irish 1,000 Guineas, says “it is a wide open renewal, his pedigree suggests he will get this trip but I'd love to see a bit of moisture in the ground.
“His form is a lot better on slower ground but he seems to be going the right way and if he did line up, he'd be in the best form he could be and we'll give it a fair crack.”
