'We've always liked him a lot' - favourite Luxembourg heads straight to Derby

Cazoo Derby hot favourite Luxembourg will head straight to Epsom and attempt to give Aidan O'Brien a record-extending ninth win in the Classic with the master trainer of the opinion that he did extremely well to take third in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas following an early stumble.

Luxembourg lost his unbeaten record on Saturday but, if anything, won even more fans and enhanced his reputation by staying on strongly to finish third, just two and a quarter lengths behind the classy Coroebus. He was never any closer than at the line and the further he went the better he looked.

Paddy Power reacted by cutting Luxembourg to 5-2 favourite (from 100-30) for the Derby and O'Brien said the plan is to go straight there without another run.

Expert analysis on the top four in each of the 2,000 and 1,000 Guineas

O'Brien told the Racing Post: "We were very happy with Luxembourg. He clipped heels after about 50 yards and lost a couple of lengths and the knock-on effect of that was that he was further back than we would have liked. He did very well to finish third.

"The plan was always to go to the Guineas and then head straight to the Derby with him and that's what he'll do. He seems to have come out of the race fine, although we obviously haven't done much with him since. He cantered this morning and seemed fine."

When asked about his Derby credentials, O'Brien replied: "We have always liked him a lot."

While Luxembourg ran well in defeat, the same could not be said of stablemate Point Lonsdale, who faded into tenth having raced prominently until the tempo increased at the business end.

O'Brien said: "Point Londsale might not have been as ready as I thought he was. It was his first run and he got a bit tired. He'll stay further and I have absolutely no doubt he'll leave that run well behind him."

Not only is O'Brien responsible for the Derby favourite, he also has the market leader for the Cazoo Oaks in Tuesday, a sister to Minding who was third in the 1,000 Guineas and now tops the market at 7-2 to give the Ballydoyle maestro his tenth win in the race.

The best is yet to come according to O'Brien and she could head to the Irish 1,000 Guineas en route to Epsom.

O'Brien said: "Tuesday ran very well for such an inexperienced filly. We always knew we would be comfortable stepping her up in trip when we needed to, so we're looking at the Oaks for her now. Whether she goes straight to Epsom we're not quite sure yet; she would have the option of taking in the Irish Guineas along the way.

"She made an awful lot of progress very quickly in the weeks leading up to the Guineas, so it's going to be interesting to see if she continues that progress over the next few weeks."

Tenebrism (right): Cheveley Park winner 'got sandwiched for the first four furlongs'Credit: Mark Cranham (racingpost.com/photos)

Tenebrism was sent off 11-4 favourite for the 1,000 Guineas but never landed a blow, although O'Brien feels there were valid excuses.

He said: "Ryan [Moore] said she got sandwiched for the first four furlongs. She never got to relax at all. It was a bit of a non-event for her and we didn't learn any more about her."

Concert Hall is as short as 8-1 with Paddy Power for the Oaks and, like Tuesday, is under consideration for the Irish 1,000 Guineas before heading to Epsom.

O'Brien said: "We were very happy with Concert Hall at Navan. She picked up well there and it was a nice way for her to start her season. We have the option of the Irish Guineas for her next, although nothing is set in stone."

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The Front Runner is our latest email newsletter available exclusively to Members' Club Ultimate subscribers. Chris Cook, a four-time Racing Reporter of the Year award winner, provides his take on the day's biggest stories and tips for the upcoming racing every morning from Monday to Friday