As far as I know its his last run for us, he said. Were not really thinking beyond the race. Hell fly over on Friday and all I know at the moment is that the plan is for him to return here to Spigot Lodge immediately after the race, and were very grateful to Sheikh Mohammed to let him run for Godolphin from here.

In the Derby Libertarian just struggled off Tattenham Corner.

Ruler Of The World quickened better as they straightened up but Libertarian finished like a steam train and went down only by a fast diminishing length and a half at the line.

Well be sorry to see him go because, although Daring Destiny and Lord Shanakill were both rated marginally higher, hes the best horse weve had and Im sure hell end his career rated higher than the 117 he was given for coming second at Epsom, Burke said.

He has a great shot. The track should suit him much better at The Curragh and the pace of the race should be better for him.

We think hes improved, although Im sure a few others will have come on again.

Libertarian will be ridden, as he was at Epsom, by William Buick, but Godolphin, who bought the New Approach colt from Danish restaurateur Hubert Strecker, also supplemented Cap ORushes, fourth in last weeks King George V Handicap, to ensure that the race is not a crawl, as the Derby was at Epsom. The experienced Pat Smullen will ride.

Aidan OBrien has four still in the race but confirmed Ruler Of The World and Festive Cheer his two most likely runners, although he also has Battle Of Marengo and Count Of Limonade.

David Wachman also plans to run Epsom third Galileo Rock, while Sugar Boy, who beat both Galileo Rock and Libertarian in the Sandown Classic trial but skipped Epsom, is also in the line-up.

Read the rest here:

Libertarian, the Derby runner-up, is in great form for the Irish Derby, says Karl Burke