The 247th running of The Derby, the world’s most famous Flat race, will take place on Saturday at 4pm. Around 60,000 fans are expected to flock to Epsom over the two-day meeting, which began on Friday – and they’ll all be hoping to pick a winner in the big one. Will the favourite Benvenuto Cellini emerge triumphant? Or could Joseph J Braddock complete a famous double for trainer-jockey combination Joseph O’Brien and Dylan Browne McMonagle after they landed The Oaks on Friday with their horse Thundering On?
On that note, here is your guide to all the runners – with odds courtesy of Paddy Power…
Action: Stepped up markedly on a subdued Sandown comeback when chasing home Item in the Dante and should have no issue with soft ground. However, there has never been a winner of today’s big race from stall 11 since the introduction of stalls in 1967. Jockey: Wayne Lordan. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 14-1. Sam Turner’s star rating: **
Alderman: One of two runners attempting to shed his maiden tag at this lofty level and clearly a potentially useful colt judged on his fine return behind a well-regarded rival in the Royal Ascot-bound Water To Wine at Newbury. This remains a tough ask, though. Jockey: Pat Dobbs. Trainer: Richard Hannon. Odds: 80-1. Star rating: *
Ancient Egypt: Situated in stall 10 which has produced a record 12 winners of the Epsom showpiece. Pleased connections in a recent gallops morning at the track and looks sure to build on his commanding comeback at Newmarket. Jockey: David Egan. Trainer: Charlie Johnston. Odds: 14-1. Star rating out of five: ****
A Taste of Glory: Owner has enjoyed a number of placed horses in this event at big prices, but this colt disappointed from the front in the Lingfield Trial last time out, while he was last of 10 behind the re-opposing Pierre Bonnard in a Group One last autumn. Jockey: Jamie Spencer. Trainer: Andrew Balding. Odds: 125-1. Star rating: *
Balzac: Boasts experience of the track after finishing third of six in the Epsom trial for this race in April and again looked at home during an excursion to a recent gallops morning there. May lack the class of the chief contenders, but could still outrun his huge odds. Jockey: Silvestre de Souza. Trainer: Jane Chapple-Hyam. Odds: 80-1. Star rating: **
Bay Of Brilliance: Operated well with cut in the ground as a juvenile, winning twice on an easy terrain. Made an encouraging return to action in the Lingfield Derby Trial when narrowly beaten by the re-opposing Maltese Cross and looks sure to progress and thrive from a favourable draw. Jockey: Hector Crouch. Trainer: Ralph Beckett. Odds: 11-1. Star rating: ***
Benvenuto Cellini: Laid down a big marker with an impressive comeback win in the Chester Vase, hitting the line strongly to win with plenty in hand. Disappointed on heavy ground as a juvenile so would not want bottomless ground, but remains the colt to beat. Jockey: Ryan Moore. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 2-1 fav. Star rating *****
Benvenuto Cellini is the 2-1 favourite to win The Derby at Epsom on Saturday
Christmas Day: Arrived at the Dante looking to seal a four-timer but was third, albeit he may have raced on an unfavourable part of the track that day. The re-opposing Item and Action were first and second that day. More needed to figure at this level but this greater stamina test may suit. Jockey: Ronan Whelan. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 14-1. Star rating: ***
Item: Two low-key wins as a juvenile preceded a sizeable upgrade at York with an impressive return in the Dante. Stamina for today’s trip not a total given, while a question mark exists regarding the suitability of this track after he lugged left on the Knavesmire. Jockey: Colin Keane. Trainer: Andrew Balding. Odds: 4-1. Star rating: ***
James J Braddock: Named after a boxer and launched his own deadly counterpunch at Leopardstown last time out to beat Pierre Bonnard, who he faces again today. Handles cut in the ground and a step up in trip could bring another heavyweight performance. Jockey: Dylan Browne McMonagle. Trainer: Joseph O’Brien. Odds: 8-1
Maltese Cross: Gritty winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial, narrowly overhauling Bay Of Brilliance in the dying strides. Track and trip should present no issue and his trainer rarely has runners in this event so tip could be worth heeding. Jockey: Tom Marquand. Trainer: William Haggas. Odds: 9-1. Star rating: ***
Pierre Bonnard: This week’s rain will play to his strengths and has reportedly made another sizeable leap forward fitness-wise for his Leopardstown defeat at the hands of James J Braddock last month. Trainer’s faith in his colt appears undiminished. Jockey: Christophe Soumillon. Trainer: Aidan O’Brien. Odds: 6-1. Star rating: ***
Poker: A maiden after three starts and a huge price to win his first race at this level. Might well look to play his hand late to pick up some pieces. Jockey: Rowan Scott. Trainer: Karl Burke. Odds: 125-1. Star rating: *
Rebel Rocker: Lightly-raced Kempton maiden winner who shaped with promise in a trial at this venue back in April. Pedigree suggests trip is suitable but current level is far removed from what is needed to capture this prize. Jockey: Rob Hornby. Trainer: Faye Bramley. Odds: 80-1. Star rating: *
Sam Turner’s conclusion: Benvenuto Cellini boasts the perfect blend of speed and stamina for this test and ought to go very close to giving Aidan O’Brien his fourth successive Derby success and 12th overall. Only desperate ground would dent confidence. In contrast, James J Braddock will not mind how much rain falls and he would provide a fairytale win for his connections, who bought him for a bargain £42,000, while the uncomplicated Ancient Egypt should enjoy the rigours of his race providing conditions do not deteriorate markedly.
My big race 1-2-3… 1 Benvenuto Cellini, 2 James J Braddock ,3 Ancient Egypt
Around 60,000 fans are expected to visit Epsom across the two days of the meeting
Robin Goodfellow (Steve Ryder)
BAY OF BRILLIANCE:Was conceding race fitness to Maltese Cross when finishing a neck second behind that rival in the Lingfield Derby Trial last time out, and he shaped as though he would relish this stiffer test of stamina. A winner on soft ground at Goodwood last season, he looks sure to be staying on strongly at the finish.
BENVENUTO CELLINI: Won the Chester Vase this season and bids to emulate last year’s winner Lambourn, who followed up in this contest. He proved a strong stayer over this trip at Chester and is the mount of top jockey Ryan Moore, although any further rain would be a negative for his chances.
ANCIENT EGYPT: Won three of his four career starts and defied odds of 16-1 to make a winning reappearance at Newmarket last month. He has no stamina concerns and can provide Amo Racing with another big-priced runner to hit the frame, following in the footsteps of King Of Steel (50-1) and Mojo Star (66-1) in recent years.
