13 stand ground for Epsom Derby

13 thoroughbreds stood their ground at the 5 day confirmation stage for the 2009 Epsom Derby on Monday.

Aidan O’Brien pruned his contingent for Saturday’s race at Epsom, leaving 6 racehorses in the field, including popular antepost bets Bear Island, Fame and Glory and Rip van Winkle.

The total number of Irish racehorses set to compete in the race stands at 8, and includes 2,000 Guineas winner Sea the Stars. Also hailing from the Emerald Isle is Gan Amhras, the only entry fielded by last year’s Derby winning trainer, Jim Bolger.

Brian Meehan will give the home team a boost after confirming Crowded House, the Dante Stakes second place finisher behind Bear Island, for the 2009 Epsom Derby.

“Crowded House has been confirmed for the Derby this morning, but he will also be confirmed tomorrow for the French Derby,” Meehan said on his website on Monday.

“He worked very well this morning, but we want to continue to monitor him for the next couple of days, consider both races and then decide what to do.

“The issue we have is that he missed a week after the Dante. We want to take as much time as possible to make sure we do what is best for the horse. We shall keep everybody informed as to the situation during the course of the week.”