Joseph O'brien’s Classic double chance with Dylan Browne McMonagle
joseph o'brien goes into Epsom with two live rides and Dylan Browne McMonagle has a chance to pull off a Classic double across Friday and Saturday. He will partner Thundering On in the Betfred Oaks and James J Braddock in the Betfred Derby, giving the yard a shot in both of the weekend’s biggest races.
Thundering On at Epsom
Browne McMonagle said he was excited about a “big, big weekend ahead for the team” and added: “Going to Epsom with two live chances you’d like to think, in both big races, so we're all looking forward to it and hopefully it goes smoothly.”
Thundering On arrives with a form line that has moved the right way. She was beaten in her first three starts, then won a Group 3 at Navan later in April after being stepped up to 10 furlongs following her seasonal debut at Leopardstown on April 12. Browne McMonagle said she has “matured a lot and strengthened up over the winter,” and that she is “a much bigger and stronger physical this year.”
He also said she has “improved with each run” and that she “travels, she relaxes, she's well balanced and she's in good shape at the minute.” His view is simple enough: “we’re in with a live shot.”
James J Braddock over 1m2f
Saturday brings a different test with James J Braddock in the Betfred Derby over 1m2f. He won the Group 3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown by a short head, and Browne McMonagle expects a stronger run this time.
“He's improving a lot,” he said, adding that “you could see a different horse on Saturday to what we've seen in Leopardstown as well.” He pointed to the way the colt finished: “He picked them up easy and hit the line hard.”
The rider also flagged the conditions, saying there is “plenty of rain over there at the minute” and that slower ground “aren't going to do him any harm either.” He described James J Braddock as “a bit of an unknown,” but one that keeps improving.
Pierre Bonnard and the Derby
The Derby picture is not limited to Joseph O'Brien’s colt. Browne McMonagle noted that Pierre Bonnard, who finished behind James J Braddock in the trial, is “going there with a real live chance” as well. He said the pair galloped out strongly, and that beating a fancied rival such as Pierre Bonnard should leave his mount “in a good spot” for Epsom.
That leaves O'Brien’s weekend with a clear edge: two runners, two Classic races, and one jockey carrying both rides. Friday’s Oaks and Saturday’s Derby now give Browne McMonagle the chance to turn a promising spring into a full Epsom return.
