The final field of 12 has been confirmed for the Investec Derby, with Jan Vermeer the hot favourite.
O'Brien colt favourite for Epsom Classic
The final field of 12 runners has been confirmed for the Investec Derby, with Jan Vermeer heading into the Epsom Classic as hot favourite.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, who will have Johnny Murtagh on board, was a winner of the Gallinule Stakes at Curragh on his only previous outing of the year.
Stablemate St Nicholas Abbey was the long-time favourite for Saturday's race, but injury forced the 2000 Guineas disappointment out of the event.
O'Brien has also taken Cape Blanco and Bright Horizon out of the field, but is still well represented with At First Sight and Midas Touch joining the market leader.
Sir Michael Stoute-trained Workforce and Henry Cecil charge Bullet Train, two horses owned by Prince Khalid Abdullah, also figure towards the top of ante-post lists.
Stoute is concerned that inexperience will prove the undoing of the former, who finished second in the Dante Stakes.
Experience
"I'm just disappointed we didn't get two races into him. That was the original plan but in the spring he had a dirty scope and he wasn't really thriving with the weather we were having," said the Newmarket trainer.
"He's a bit short on experience. He only had one race at two - a maiden - and then the Dante which was unsatisfactory really.
"At Epsom they have to be sharp mentally, they have to go for the openings when they are available, but the good thing is there are only 12 runners and not 24. That's a help.
"I took him to Lingfield for him to accelerate down the hill on a left-handed turn as he got the bit through his mouth at York.
"I think that was a one-off, we will be able to eliminate that sort of thing.
"He has sharpened up from his Dante race as one would expect. We are running him because we feel he is entitled to go there.
"He has a chance, I couldn't say I'm confident because he lacks that additional race I would have liked him to have had.
"He'll stay and I hope the ground isn't too quick," Stoute told At The Races.
The Godolphin stable will look to challenge for top honours as Saeed bin Suroor saddles Al Zir, the mount of Kieren Fallon, and new trainer Mahmood Al Zarooni is represented through Rewilding and Buzzword.
Preparation
Coordinated Cut is trained by Michael Bell, who is hoping for a bold show from the Dante third.
"His preparation has gone very smoothly, he looks healthy and well and we are hopeful of a very good run," said the Newmarket handler.
"He has been training very well and he blew hard after the Dante, so I'm hoping there is some improvement to come.
"Obviously seeing is believing and we will see on Saturday if that is correct.
"It's a relatively small field for the Derby so I don't think there's much significance in the draw (nine). They should be able to sort themselves out over a mile and a half with only 12 runners."
Hot Prospect finished third in the Lingfield Derby Trial and trainer Michael Jarvis is worried about the colt staying the trip.
"He's an outsider but he's a nice horse in his own right and we'll see how good he is," said Jarvis. "His form suggests he's got it all to do but he'll love the ground.
"The trip could be a little bit of an unknown as he's out of a mare that gets quite fast horses, but he's by a Derby winner (Motivator), which would give you hope he'll stay.
"I'd be very happy if he finishes in the first five."
Chester winner Ted Spread and the John Gosden-trained Azmeel complete the field.
