Investec Derby at Epsom: Guide to the runners and riders

Saturday afternoon sees one of the highlights of the worldwide flat racing calender, the Investec Derby at Epsom.

This season's race looks wide open, with a bigger field than in recent years, and there are very few of the runners in the 16-strong field that appear to be no-hopers.

Check out our guide to the 2016 Derby runners and riders...

ACROSS THE STARS (Form: 22-13)

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute. Jockey: Kieren Fallon

Stamina is not a problem for this son of Sea The Stars, as he is already a winner over 12 furlongs. He probably would have won the Lingfield Derby Trial but for meeting with severe interference. Tactical speed is a big concern and he is a clear stable second-string. Rating: 3/10

ALGOMETER (Form: 41-21)

Trainer: David Simcock. Jockey: Jim Crowley

Took the drop down to Listed class to win at Goodwood last time out, but whether that form is good enough is a big question mark. He's one of the Derby runners who would definitely appreciate the race turning into a slog. Rating: 2/10

BIODYNAMIC (Form: 5-134)

Trainer: Karl Burke. Jockey: Dougie Costello

Failed to make much of an impact when finishing nine lengths behind US Army Ranger in the Chester Vase, and would need to find huge improvement to have a chance of reaching the frame. Rating: 1/10

CLOTH OF STARS (Form: 132-11)

Trainer: Andre Fabre. Jockey: Mickael Barzalona

French raider who was supplemented for the Derby after winning a Group 2 contest at Saint-Cloud last month. Improved to overcome a rival he had been beaten by twice as a two-year-old and is open to further improvement for a team that won the race with Pour Moi in 2011. Rating: 6/10

DEAUVILLE (Form: 1125-2)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Jamie Spencer

Could well have come on for the run after finishing second to Wings Of Desire in the Dante at York, one of the key trials for Epsom, and it would be no surprise to see him turn around that form. His chance might depend on the sun coming out, to firm up the ground a little, and if it does he is a massive contender. Rating: 9/10

HARZAND (Form: 5-11)

Trainer: Dermot Weld. Jockey: Pat Smullen

Where Deauville wants the sun to shine, Dermot Weld would probably love some more rain. His two wins have both come on heavy ground, and while it is foolish to completely rule him out on better going, there is no compelling evidence that it will improve him any further. Rating: 5/10

HUMPHREY BOGART (Form: 24-421)

Trainer: Richard Hannon. Jockey: Sean Levey

Ran out a brave winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial, possibly a shade lucky given trouble for at least one of his rivals. Was added to the Epsom field for the supplementary fee of £75,000 and needs to finish in the first four - even that might be a stretch. Rating: 3/10

IDAHO (Form: 14-23)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Seamie Heffernan

Despite the hype around one of Aidan O'Brien's other runners, it would be no surprise to see Idaho come out on top of the Coolmore crop at Epsom. He was staying on strongly in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial and could come on a lot for that run. If the ground gets a little faster, he's definitely one to consider. Rating: 8/10

MASSAAT (Form: 212-2)

Trainer: Owen Burrows. Jockey: Paul Hanagan

Ran a fine race when finishing second behind Galileo Gold in the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket last month, but stamina is a definite question mark. If he stays, a huge challenge could be forthcoming - I'm not convinced he will. Rating: 5/10

MOONLIGHT MAGIC (Form: 11-51)

Trainer: Jim Bolger. Jockey: Kevin Manning

His trainer is confident and his form on good/faster ground stacks up well, but I've got a hunch Idaho will come out best of the runners from the Derrinstown Derby Trial. He should stay, although appeared to the naked eye to be coming to the end of his tether at Leopardstown over 10 furlongs. No doubting he is one to consider seriously, though, if you think he will get the trip. Rating: 7/10

PORT DOUGLAS (Form: 2414-2)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Colm O'Donoghue

Finished second behind US Army Ranger in the Chester Vase, when the ride of Seamie Heffernan came in for plenty of criticism and caused a stewards enquiry. He is four pounds better off on Saturday but had plenty more experience and might only be playing for place money. Rating: 4/10

RED VERDON (Form: 21-211)

Trainer: Ed Dunlop. Jockey: Silvestre De Sousa

Comes into the race on the back of two hugely impressive wins at Chester and Haydock, although both came in handicap company. The manner of his most recent success - five lengths and value for double - meant connections paid £75,000 to go for the Derby, and their decision might just pay off. His stamina is absolutely assured unlike a few of his rivals. Rating: 10/10

SHOGUN (Form: 60-325)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Donncha O'Brien

Split Moonlight Magic and Idaho in the Derrinstown, and seemed not to relish the step back in trip when finishing fifth in the Irish 2,000 Guineas more recently. Jockey bookings, and the market, would suggest he is the outsider from Ballydoyle. Rating: 2/10

ULYSSES (Form: 6-21)

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute. Jockey: Andrea Atzeni

Getting towards the bottom of the puzzle, and it just gets more fiendish from here, with Ulysses being the first of three unexposed wildcards who could still be anything. He is the son of a Derby winner (Galileo) and an Oaks winning mare (Light Shift) and was impressive in winning a Newbury maiden. Whether that is enough to win a Derby is questionable given his current cramped odds. Rating: 6/10

US ARMY RANGER (Form: 11)

Trainer: Aidan O'Brien. Jockey: Ryan Moore

Was perhaps somewhat fortunate to win the Chester Vase ahead of Port Douglas, but that run showed just how inexperienced this talented colt is. If his education has continued since Chester, he is a definite player, but it is rare for a Derby winner to not have run as a two-year-old - only four have done so in the post-war era. Rating: 7/10

WINGS OF DESIRE (Form: 311)

Trainer: John Gosden. Jockey: Frankie Dettori

Another runner not to have an outing as a juvenile, but he got off the mark second time at Wolverhampton and then stepped up significantly to win the Dante at York last month, coming out on top of a prolonged battle with Deauville.  That win leapt him to the front of the market, and he also had to be supplemented for £75,000, but whether he will cope with Epsom's unique undulations is questionable. Rating: 6/10

VERDICT:

This could be the most open Derby in more than a decade and there are very few runners that go to the start without a chance of some kind. Four runners were supplemented by connections for £75,000 and among those is my chief fancy - rapidly improving handicapper RED VERDON. A handicapper winning the Derby, I hear you cry - well, why not? He has to progress again, but there is nothing to suggest he has levelled off. Deauville could come out on top of the Dante runners to claim second, and I would expect a big run from stable companion Idaho as well.