A runner by runner guide to the Epsom Derby...

In what looks like a wide-open renewal, here is a guide to the principle runners in Epsom’s feature race:

City Of Troy (Aidan O’Brien)

One of the highest rated two-year-olds we have seen since the likes of Frankel and whilst he was all the rage for the 2000 Guineas in May, things didn’t go to plan. After getting a good start, the petrol gauge soon began to empty, and he came home in a disappointing ninth. Nevertheless, he is miles clear on official ratings and so if he gets his act together, he could wipe the floor with the rest.

Los Angeles (Aidan O’Brien)

Whilst he made his two-year-old debut late, he soon showed his potential with a Group 1 success on only his second start at Saint Cloud. With the headlines on his stablemate for much of this year, his successful return to action in the Group 3 Derby Trial puts him firmly on track for this and whilst he looks to be the stable’s second string, he’s won as a three-year-old and won’t want to give up his unbeaten record just yet.

Ambiente Friendly (James Fanshawe)

James Fanshawe’s hope has made headlines in recent weeks following the news that his regular jockey Callum Shepherd will be making way for experienced pilot Rab Havlin. Anthony Van Dyck was the last horse to win the Lingfield Derby Trial and follow up in Epsom’s feature and Fanshawe’s three-year-old couldn’t have been any more impressive.

Dancing Gemini (Roger Teal)

Enjoyed a productive campaign as a two-year-old which included a narrow defeat to Ancient Wisdom in last October’s Group 1 Futurity Stakes. Enjoyed a winter break and returned with a superb second in the Poule d’Essai des Poulains at Longchamp, only succumbing to a horse who was better placed. Some smart rivals were in behind that day and if the rain fell, he would certainly have a squeak for Roger Teal.

Macduff (Ralph Beckett)

A Juddmonte owned colt, who only found Arabian Crown too strong in the Classic Trial at Sandown and with his absence announced a couple of weeks ago, his chances have increased. He hasn’t won since his maiden success at Newmarket but the way he pulled through his seasonal reappearance means you can upgrade that run further. That race has previously fired in a Derby winner, so he must be considered.

Verdict
City Of Troy will certainly be popular in what looks like an incredibly wide-open renewal of the Betfred Derby. He is miles clear on ratings and whilst he failed to fire in the Guineas, he must be respected. Ambiente Friendly won the Lingfield Derby Trial but a chance goes to Roger Teal’s DANCING GEMINI who could be the answer, especially if the rain came. After enjoying a winter break, his comeback run in France was brilliant and with progress expected, he should be thereabouts. Macduff pulled extremely hard behind Arabian Crown at Sandown and whilst he was beaten, he won’t have to worry about that horse following the news of his injury.