1

Ambiente Friendly

Catapulted into contention when surging 4.5L clear of his nearest rival in the Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes and that looked like a proper trial run in a quick time. Drying conditions helpful.

2

Ancient Wisdom

Won four times last season including an influential G1 with this Classic in mind. No match for a colt at York on his 2024 return, but that outing and the move up to this trip could make a big difference.

3

Bellum Justum

The plus for him is that he is proven over this track having won a Listed trial for this in April. However, second and fourth that day got well beaten at Lingfield subsequently. Hard to fancy.

4

City Of Troy

With a clear edge on ratings and brilliant in everything he has done until his total flop in a G1 Classic when odds-on favourite at Newmarket in May. Supporters will hope for a revival over this much longer trip and completely different track.

5

Dallas Star

Could be an interesting outsider. He outstayed his rivals in a heavy-ground G3 at Leopardstown in April and should thrive over this 2405m. Slow ground would be a giant plus.

6

Dancing Gemini

Almost landed a huge shock on his 2024 return when a close second in a 1600m G1 Classic at Longchamp. But this is a very different test and major stamina worries at 2405m.

7

Deira Mile

Career best when around 2.8L fourth to rival here Ancient Wisdom in a 1600m G1 at Doncaster last October.  Dominated six inferior rivals at Windsor on his return. Looks to lack the required class but the longer Epsom trip may be helpful.

8

Euphoric

Clearly not the stable number one but Aidan O’Brien has won this Classic with apparent lesser lights before. A very expensive purchase who was a 1L runner-up to stablemate Los Angeles in a 2000m Leopardstown G3 in May.

9

God’s Window

Thrashed two rivals in novice company on his 2024 return at Nottingham but appeared outclassed in Listed and G2 company since. From a top stable but very hard to fancy.

10

Kamboo

Angling for a huge shock win, though horses at massive odds have made placings in this Classic. Having his first start for nearly six months when he beat a subsequent winner in a 1600m novices’ event at Kempton.

11

Los Angeles

Though not spectacular in any of his three wins, he is unbeaten (in G1 company at Saint-Cloud in October 2023, and a G3 at Leopardstown in May) and clearly progressive. Looks to be crying out for this rise in trip. Good chance.

12

Macduff

Only win came in a maiden but he could improve hugely from his 2024 debut when second in a G3 at Sandown, especially as the trainer’s team are in much better form now than they were then. The rise in trip looks positive.

13

Mr Hampstead

Yet to win in three starts and, though showing some promise in novice and maiden company at Newbury and Chester this year, surely hasn’t the ability for this.

14

Sayedaty Sadaty

Only win so far in novice company and, though a solid second in two Listed events in 2024 suggesting he has trained on into a decent 3yo, he surely lacks the class for this.

15

Tabletalk

Connections have bravely paid out a big sum to supplement him into this great Classic. He defeated seven rivals in a 2000m maiden at Chelmsford in May, but this is a massive rise in grade.

16

Voyage

Bred for the job and though a big-priced outsider he showed some smart acceleration to comfortably win a 2000m novices’ event at Newbury in April. Not the usual profile of a Derby winner.