City Of Troy will be given a shot at redemption in the Derby at Epsom on Saturday after his epic 2000 Guineas flop.
The son of Justify looked like the second coming in his juvenile campaign but could only finish ninth in the first Classic of the season prompting many to speculate that he has not trained on from two to three, although this is familiar territory for trainer Aidan O’Brien having saddled Auguste Rodin to Epsom glory after a dismal effort at Newmarket last year.
Stablemate Los Angeles brings an unbeaten record into the race after a comfortable success in the Derby Trial at Leopardstown, while the Ballydoyle battalion is completed by Euphoric, who was second on the day.
Godolpin are hoping Ancient Wisdom will become their third Derby winner and, despite finishing second in the Dante, the potential for juice in the ground should play to his strengths. God’s Window was fifth in the York trial and takes his chance after connections opted against the French Derby.
Bellum Justum threw his hat into the ring by scooping the Blue Riband Trial at the course in April and Oisin Murphy will be hoping the son of Sea The Stars – the 2009 Derby winner – can end his long wait for victory in this. Stablemate Sayedaty Sadaty is trainer Andrew Balding’s second string.
Ambiente Friendly is bidding to follow in the hooves of 2019 hero Anthony Van Dyck after a rout in the Lingfield Derby Trial, but Callum Shepherd has been jocked off in favour of Rab Havlin.
Macduff chased home Arabian Crown – who was Godolphin’s leading prospect before injury – in the Classic Trial at Sandown, while Deira Mile has form that ties into a number of these and can be found on the fringes of the market principles.
Dancing Gemini – sired by 2012 winner Camelot – came within ½l of scooping the French 2000 Guineas on seasonal reappearance as trainer Roger Teal opts to retain Dylan Browne McMonagle in the plate.
Richard Hannon pitches Newbury novice winner Voyage into the mix on just his second career start, but his family tree boasts plenty of pedigree as his sire Golden Horn won the race in 2015 and grandsire Galileo scored in 2001.
Mr Hampstead – part of the Amo Racing team switched from Roger Varian’s yard to Dominic Ffrench Davis – bids to break his maiden status on the biggest stage of all. Ballysax scorer Dallas Star also carries the Amo colours for Irish trainer Adrian Murray.
The field for Saturday’s 16:30 is completed by Kamboo on his first start of the campaign and Tabletalk, who is thrown in at the deep end after connections stumped up £75,000 to supplement the Chelmsford maiden winner.
Derby odds can be found on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise, the confirmed runners and riders for Saturday’s big race at Aintree are below.
Derby runners and riders
The following 16 horses have been declared for the Derby 2024.
Ambiente Friendly (Rab Havlin)
Ancient Wisdom (William Buick)
Bellum Justum (Oisin Murphy)
City Of Troy (Ryan Moore)
Dallas Star (David Egan)
Dancing Gemini (Dylan Browne McMonagle)
Deira Mile (Jim Crowley)
Euphoric (Declan McDonogh)
God’s Window (Kieran Shoemark)
Kamboo (Richard Kingscote)
Los Angeles (Wayne Lordan)
Macduff (Rossa Ryan)
Mr Hampstead (Sean Levey)
Sayedaty Sadaty (Tom Marquand)
Tabletalk (James Doyle)
Voyage (Pat Hobbs)
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Matt Chapman’s Saturday ITV Racing tips for Epsom
- Rory Delargy’s Epsom tips for Saturday
- Mick Fitzgerald’s horse racing tips for Epsom on Saturday
- Jason Weaver’s ITV Racing tips at Epsom on Saturday
Read More on the Derby
- Gallop over to Paddy Power News for all the latest horse racing tips
- Derby tips and runner-by-runner guide to Epsom 4.30 on Saturday
- Derby trends and stats for Epsom 4.30 on Saturday
- When is the Derby? Epsom date, start time, runners and betting
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