Dubai: Moonlight Magic takes on Epsom Derby (G1) victor Harzand and a strong quartet of horses trained by leading handler Aidan O’Brien as he bids to give Godolphin back-to-back victories in the Group 1 €1.5 million (Dh6 million) Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday.

Twelve months ago Jack Hobbs ran out a brilliant winner of the 2,400-metre contest at The Curragh Ireland’s premier international racecourse, to provide Godolphin with a second Derby trophy after Balanchine’s triumph in 1994.

Moonlight Magic, who ran a disappointing race at Epsom three weeks ago, must step up his game substantially if he hopes to upstage a small, but quality field of eight rivals.

Jim Bolger, who has trained two Irish Derby winners — Trading Leather (2013) and St Jovite (1992) — remained upbeat of his trainee’s chances, and said: “Moonlight Magic is very well and I am hoping he will give a good account of himself.

“I think the Curragh will suit him better than Epsom. It might have been that he just had an off day at Epsom, but I think the track may have been a factor so we are looking forward to the Curragh.”

Moonlight Magic will be ridden by Bolger’s retained jockey, Kevin Manning, for the sixth time in his career.

Meanwhile, Harzand is bidding to become the 18th horse to complete the English-Irish Derby double, a feat most recently achieved by Australia in 2015.

Trainer Dermot Weld has won the race twice previously with Zagreb in 1996 and Grey Swallow in 2004, while Harzand’s owner, The Aga Khan, has won the race five times previously with Alamshar (2003), Sinndar (2000), Kahyasi (1988), Shahrastani (1986) and Shergar (1981).

Harzand survived a late scare after spreading a plate to triumph at Derby, and Weld said: “Every little bit of rain that falls will help, but my worry is really not the ground.

“My biggest worry is he is very tough, but he had a very hard race at Epsom, it left its mark on him and I’d love another week.

“Harzand had an easy week after Epsom as he had a tough race there but he is a very courageous horse and we are more than happy with him now.

“He is a horse who has always liked an ease in the ground and I think that the ground should be alright following some showers.”

O’Brien, who has taken home the trophy on 11 occasions since Desert King, gave him a maiden Irish Derby in 1997, relies on Epsom third Idaho, Port Douglas, Shogun and Claudio Monteverdi.

Red Verdon, who was supplemented for the race by trainer Ed Dunlop, is the sole British trained contender.

Also on Saturday, Peace Envoy looks likely for a quick reappearance in the GAIN Railway Stakes where he may take on the Ger Lyons-trained King Electric and Medicine Jack, while Michael O’Callaghan is represented by Mirdif and Johnny Murtagh has left in Ready To Roc and Grand Coalition.

Sunday’s feature race at the Curragh is the Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes, for which Epsom Oaks-winner Minding tops the field.

Latest odds

Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby (G1) 2,400m

Harzand (10/11), Idaho (2/1), Moonlight Magic (10/1), Red Verdon (10/1), Port Douglas (16/1), Shogun (33/1), Stellar Mass (33/1), Claudio Monteverdi (50/1), Ebediyin (50/1)