*All prices are bang up to date with our snazzy widgets, while odds in copy are accurate at time of publishing but subject to change
Auguste Rodin spearheads the three-strong Ballydoyle battalion as top trainer Aidan O’Brien spies a record-extending ninth victory in the Derby at Epsom.
The Deep Impact colt delivered a dismal display in the 2000 Guineas last time out but has retained market support and is joined in the fourth Classic of the British season by Dee Stakes scorer San Antonio and Chester Vase second Adelaide River.
Military Order, a full brother to 2021 Derby hero Adayar, heads the home charge after landing the Lingfield Derby Trial and the runner-up in that race, Waipiro, reopposes. Frankie Dettori is set to ride in his final Derby before retiring from the saddle and he climbs aboard Chester Vase winner Arrest.
The first and second in last month’s Dante Stakes, The Foxes and White Birch, take their chance as well as the fourth, Passenger, who represents last year’s winning trainer-and-jockey combo after being supplemented for £85,000.
Middleham trainer Charlie Johnston fires two darts in the form of Dubai Mile and Dear My Friend, Leopardstown Derby Trial winner Sprewell travels over from Ireland, while Artistic Star and King Of Steel completes the field for Saturday’s 13:30.
The latest Derby odds are on the Paddy Power website and Paddy Power app, otherwise Timeform’s guide to the runners as well as betting tips from the racing boffins can be found below.
Derby tips
Timeform: A wide-open renewal with plenty of progressive and unexposed colts but MILITARY ORDER’s win at Lingfield was the most convincing of all the trials, so this brother to 2021 Derby winner Adayar has plenty going for him with his stamina guaranteed. Passenger arguably would have won the Dante at York (on only his second career start) had he not been forced to wait for a gap so he is high on the shortlist along with Chester Vase winner Arrest, who should continue to improve.
Derby runners
Adelaide River
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Seamie Heffernan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 14
Winning debut on AW last summer and placed 4 times at Group level since, though he was 6 lengths adrift of Dubai Mile/Arrest in Criterium de Saint-Cloud on final start 2-y-o and was again soundly beaten by Arrest in Chester Vase on return. Very hard to make a case for.
**
Arrest
Trainer: John & Thady Gosden Jockey: Frankie Dettori Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 13
Most progressive juvenile who scored twice over 1m before head second to Dubai Mile (Adelaide River 6 lengths back in third) in Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Smashed Adelaide River by a similar margin in Chester Vase on return last month and should make a bold bid with stamina assured.
****
Artistic Star
Trainer: Ralph Beckett Jockey: Rob Hornby Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 8
Unbeaten Galileo colt, winning strong maiden at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) in October before defying penalty in good style at Sandown on return. Remains with potential but experience/ability will be fully tested here.
**
Auguste Rodin
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Ryan Moore Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 10
Unlucky on debut and made no mistake in 3 subsequent outings, running out the comfortable winner of Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy) in October. Ran no sort of race when favourite for 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on return but still warrants plenty of respect with this trip likely to suit.
****
Dear My Friend
Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Andrea Atzeni Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 1
Pivotal colt who won novices at Carlisle (6f) and Beverley (7.4f) first 2 starts. Made a winning return in listed race at Newcastle but limitations fully exposed in the Dante at York. Big outsider.
*
Dubai Mile
Trainer: Charlie Johnston Jockey: Daniel Muscutt Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 5
Very progressive at 2 yrs, second to The Foxes in slowly-run Royal Lodge before gamely beating Arrest in Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud. Ran as well as could have been expected when fifth in 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on return and this trip likely to be more suitable. Not to be underestimated.
***
King Of Steel
Trainer: Roger Varian Jockey: Kevin Stott Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 4
Fast-tracked to Group 1 level after an impressive debut success at Nottingham (8.3f, soft) but could manage only seventh in Futurity Trophy at Doncaster. Remains with potential but this is a massive ask on return for a new yard. Bred to stay.
**
Military Order
Trainer: Charlie Appleby Jockey: William Buick Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 9
Brother to Derby and King George VI winner Adayar. Beaten at short odds first-time out but has made no mistake since, completing hat-trick with a bit in hand in Lingfield Derby Trial 3 weeks ago by 1¼ lengths from Waipiro. Every chance of emulating his brother.
*****
Passenger
Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute Jockey: Richard Kingscote Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 7
Scopey sort who overcame inexperience to make a winning debut in maiden (Wood Ditton) at Newmarket and took a massive step forward when third in Dante at York, likely to have gone very close to winning with a clear run. Has since been supplemented for this and remains an exciting prospect.
****
San Antonio
Trainer: Aidan O’Brien Jockey: Wayne Lordan Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 12
Continued his race-by-race progression when bolting up in a Dundalk maiden (10.7f, 10/3) on return and threw his hat into the Derby ring when following up in the Dee Stakes at Chester, making most. Another big step forward required, however, and Moore prefers Auguste Rodin.
**
Sprewell
Trainer: Mrs J. Harrington Jockey: Shane Foley Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 6
Confirmed 2-y-o promise when making a winning return in novice at Naas. Progressed again tackling 1¼m for the first time when following up in Derby Trial at Leopardstown, advertising his Derby credentials with a very smart effort. Ground an unknown (raced only on heavy) but still much respected.
****
The Foxes
Trainer: Andrew Balding Jockey: Oisin Murphy Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 3
Progressive Churchill colt who followed up maiden win in a slowly run but strong renewal of the Royal Lodge at Newmarket final start at 2yrs. Solid return in the Craven there and proved well suited by longer trip when holding off White Birch in Dante at York. Firmly in the mix.
****
Waipiro
Trainer: Ed Walker Jockey: Tom Marquand Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 11
Proved a different proposition to debut when making all in novice at Newmarket on return. Again showed significant improvement when pushing Military Order in Lingfield Derby Trial, beaten only final 100 yds. Fully entitled to take his chance, though his temperament will be tested (excitable colt).
***
White Birch
Trainer: John Joseph Murphy Jockey: C. T. Keane Age: 3 Weight: 9st 2lbs Draw: 2
Confirmed debut promise to run out a ready winner of maiden at Dundalk and took another big step forward when following up in 6-runner Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown (10f, heavy) on return. Ran on strongly when close second in Dante at York since and extra 2f will suit. Considered.
****
Saturday’s Racing Tips
- Paddy’s ultimate Cheat Sheet for Epsom Derby day
- Ruby Walsh’s slick picks for Derby day at Epsom
- Matt Chapman’s Saturday selections on Derby day at Epsom
- Jason Weaver’s wily ITV Racing Wagers for Derby day at Epsom
- Mick Fitzgerald’s Flutters for Derby day at Epsom
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