31-05-07

Wayne Lordan is looking forward to what promises to be a dream ride on Soldier Of Fortune for Aidan O'Brien in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

The young jockey is one of eight pilots required by the Ballydoyle maestro, who will be mob-handed for his attempt at a third success in the premier Classic following Galileo (2001) and High Chaparral (2002).

Soldier Of Fortune was last seen getting up in the dying strides of the Chester Vase and Lordan told At The Races: "He won quite well in Chester and he stays well. It's great to get the opportunity to ride in the race."

He added: "He's a good horse, he tough and he's hard to get by, so hopefully he will run a big race. I think the ground should be OK for him."

Mick Kinane is expected to ride Archipenko, with Seamus Heffernan on Admiralofthefleet, Fran Berry on Acapulco, Declan McDonogh aboard Anton Chekhov, Johnny Murtagh on Eagle Mountain, Pat Smullen partnering Mahler and Colm O'Donoghue teaming up with Yellowstone.

Archipenko would appear to be the first string if the ante-post betting markets are to be believed.

Heffernan said of Admiralofthefleet: "Mick won on him at Chester (Dee Stakes) and he was impressive. If he gets the trip he's rated high and he has Group form to his name, so I'm hopeful I'm on the right one.

"It's a true test of a horse, it's a rough race downhill and they go a good gallop. You need a lot of luck.

"All the horses are well, there's not much between them and we'll have to see who has the luck on the day."