Irish Derby horse-by-horse guide to the runners

Check out our guide to Saturday's Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh, featuring Wings Of Eagles and Cracksman.

CAPRI (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 13-436

Market springer on the day of the Derby and ran fairly well for sixth having been prominent. Money increased with rainfall and a similar scenario could unfold here, but looks short of top-class and without the required turn of foot to reverse form with those ahead of him at Epsom. Also has work to do with Waldgeist on Group One runs as a juvenile and may now be asked to do some donkey work for Wings Of Eagles, who clearly benefited from an end-to-end gallop in winning.

CRACKSMAN (John Gosden)
Form: 1-13

Allayed stamina fears with fine third in the Investec Derby, beaten a length having been keen enough throughout the first quarter-mile. Sent off favourite that day and fared much the best of those towards the front end in a strongly-run race. Form received a nice boost when fifth-placed Benbatl won at Royal Ascot, while earlier defeat of Permian also looks much better now than it did at the time. Should know more on fourth start and can reverse form with Wings Of Eagles.

DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 54-217

Did well to hang on for seventh at Epsom having been sent for home a long way out under an extremely aggressive ride. Previous form in trials reads well and wasn't far behind Waldgeist in Saint-Cloud race last year. Seemingly suited by good ground and could run a big race under more restraint.

DUBAI SAND (Jim Bolger)
Form: 621-55

Not up to scratch in Ballysax or Derrinstown in two starts this term, finishing behind a few of these rivals in the process and although a Listed winner last term, there's not enough in his two-year-old form to think he can suddenly find the required improvement to make his mark at this level. Hopes pinned on step up in distance sparking something but that's not guaranteed either on pedigree grounds.

GRANDEE (Jessica Harrington)
Form: 31-621

Trainer's runners can't be ignored out of hand and a convincing Listed win at Leopardstown earlier in the month just about entitles him to take his place in this event, but no getting away from the fact he's more exposed than some and his only previous try at pattern level (Group Three) yielded a well-held sixth in the Ballysax. Could be in for a tough time against proven Classic colts here.

TAJ MAHAL (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 5-2244

Won just one of eight starts as a juvenile but has taken that busy campaign quite well and looks to have improved this term, albeit failing to add another victory after four more goes. Just a length and a half behind Waldgeist in French Derby over extended 10 furlongs before solid front-running fourth to Benbatl at Royal Ascot last week and could step up again on belated first attempt at the Derby trip, although quite turnaround an obvious negative if declared.

THE ANVIL (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 30-130

Last but one in the Derby having been sent there to ensure an end-to-end gallop. Behind Venice Beach and Wings Of Eagles at Chester prior to that and has been exposed several times as short of the required class. Probable front-runner.

WALDGEIST (Andre Fabre)
Form: 131-22

Well-touted at big prices for Epsom but connections instead opted for the Prix du Jockey Club a day later. Decision so nearly paid off as he was beaten a short head by a top-class horse in Brametot, which looks form on a par with any of these. Previous defeat on comeback can be excused and this stoutly-bred sort should benefit for a step up to 1m4f. Master trainer had a winner and an unfortunate third from just two runners at Royal Ascot and if his horse lines up here, the hint should be taken with conditions expected to suit.

WINGS OF EAGLES (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 149-21

Surprise winner of the Derby, flying home to deny better-fancied, less-experienced stablemate. Had previously stayed on for second, looking a little one-paced, in Chester trial and if this were to develop into a test of speed - unlikely given powerhouse connections - that would be against him. Clearly better than he showed when a long way behind Waldgeist at Saint-Cloud late last year but a sense that the Derby fell in his lap somewhat and might be worth opposing despite Aidan O'Brien having won eight of the last 11 renewals and Derby winners tending to be hard to beat when attempting this double.

CONCLUSION: Wings Of Eagles is the obvious starting point following his Epsom heroics and Aidan O'Brien's record of doubling up here with Derby winners is exceptional.

However, the incredibly strong fractions set that day turned this year's renewal into a very stern test of stamina and there's no question the winner benefited. Douglas Macarthur helped force the pace at Epsom and ran a fantastic race in the circumstances, while Venice Beach palpably didn't handle the track and is probably better judged on his earlier effort when beating Wings Of Eagles at Chester.

Waldgeist is a fascinating runner with quality French Classic form but Cracksman, who beat Permian earlier in the season, is open to stacks more improvement following his fine third in the Derby on just the third run of his life and John Gosden's charge looks the rock-solid option in quite an open year.