Twenty-one colts remain in contention for the G1 Betfred Derby following the latest scratching deadline for the Classic, which will be run at Epsom on Saturday, June 1.
Aidan O'Brien, who saddled a record-extending ninth winner of the Derby when Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) was successful in 2023, could be mob-handed this year with up to seven runners. His entries include the outstanding two-year-old of 2023, City Of Troy (Justify), who will be trying to emulate Auguste Rodin by bouncing back from a disappointing return to action in the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket.
City Of Troy is set to be joined by last year's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Los Angeles (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who maintained his unbeaten record after nearly seven months off when beating stable companion Euphoric (GB) (Frankel {GB}) in the G3 Derby Trial S. at Leopardstown last time. O'Brien could also saddle Diego Velazquez (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), who made an encouraging return to action when finishing fourth in the G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, but Capulet (Justify) is a notable absentee following his win in the Listed Dee S. at Chester.
Last month's G3 Ballysax S. winner Dallas Star (Fr) (Cloth Of Stars {Ire}) is the only other Irish-trained entry for Adrian Murray, while the possible home challenge is headed by James Fanshawe's Ambiente Friendly (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}), an impressive winner of the Listed Lingfield Derby Trial S. last time. Bellum Justum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), successful in the Listed Blue Riband Trial at Epsom, and Charlie Appleby's Ancient Wisdom (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}), runner-up in last week's G2 Dante S. at York, are others who have stood their ground having acquitted themselves well in their trial runs.
Appleby will be without his G3 Classic Trial winner Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire} due to injury, but the Sandown form could still be represented by the runner-up, Macduff (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who was one of four Derby contenders to get a taste of the track on Tuesday morning. The others were Poule d'Essai des Poulains second Dancing Gemini (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and a pair of last-time-out novice winners, Deira Mile (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) and Voyage (GB) (Golden Horn {GB}).
International Flavour To Bumper July Cup Entry
The first entries for the G1 My Pension Expert July Cup, scheduled to be run at Newmarket on Saturday, July 13, were also revealed on Tuesday, with horses from five different countries featuring in a 46-strong list of possibles.
The home defence includes the first five from last week's G2 Duke Of York S. in which Mill Stream (Ire) (Gleneagles {Ire}) held on by a nose from Shouldvebeenaring (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), as well as a pair of Group 1-winning older sprinters in Kinross (GB) (Kingman {GB}) and Regional (GB) (Territories {Ire}).
The three-year-old challenge is headed by Saturday's G2 Sandy Lane S. contender Vandeek (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}), who went unbeaten in four starts as a juvenile, plus recent winners Bucanero Fuerte (GB) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) and Elite Status (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}). G1 2,000 Guineas runner-up Rosallion (Ire) (Blue Point {Ire}) and last year's G2 Coventry S. winner River Tiber (Ire) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) have also been given this option ahead of their clash in the G1 Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday.
Chain Of Lightning (Aus) (Fighting Sun {Aus}), a Group 1 winner in Australia, is another eye-catching entry ahead of her possible run at Royal Ascot, along with Japan's Obamburumai (Jpn) (Discreet Cat). Further international interest is provided by a pair of US-trained entries, namely Crimson Advocate (Nyquist)–the winner of last year's G2 Queen Mary S. at the Royal meeting–and Grooms All Bizness (Fed Biz).
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