One of the world’s  truly great races, the Gr1 Investec Derby, will take place at Epsom this Saturday when 19 three-year-olds will go head-to-head over the unique course.

Unbeaten champion Frankel (Galileo) has made a sensational start to his stud career and the champion appears to have a strong hand in Saturday’s 2410 classic with sons Cracksman and Eminent both looking big runners.

Unbeaten in two outings, Cracksman is disputing favouritism for the 2017 Investec Derby and has the added benefit of Epsom experience under his belt. He defeated subsequent Gr2 Dante Stakes winner Permian when defying greenness to land the Investec Derby Trial, and bids to give trainer John Gosden his third Epsom Derby success (following Benny The Dip and Golden Horn).

Frankel’s other Derby hope is Gr3 Craven Stakes winner Eminent who was sixth, when not enjoying a slow pace, in the Gr1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas –behind subsequent Gr1 Irish 2000 Guineas hero Churchill (Galileo). Out of a daughter of an Epsom Oaks runner up, Eminent should enjoy the extra trip and looks to have a shout here.

Aidan O’Brien will saddle six runners in the Derby, with riding arrangements suggesting Cliffs Of Moher (Galileo) is the O’Brien elect.  Winner of two of his three outings, Cliffs Of Moher has been fancied for this race ever since landing the Listed Dee Stakes at Chester. Stable mate Venice Beach (Galileo) downed fellow O’Brien Derby hopes Wings Of Eagles (Pour Moi) and The Anvil (Galileo) to lift the Gr3 MBNA Chester Vase and is another who must have a chance in what appears an open looking race.

Douglas Macarthur (Galileo) and Capri (Galileo) ran 1-3 in the Gr3 Derrinstown Derby Trial, when separated by a neck and it should again be close between the O’Brien pair. 

Permian (Teofilo) gave Cracksman’s form a boost after following up his runner up finish in the Derby Trial with a game win in the Gr2 Betfred Dante Stakes and trainer Mark Johnston is apparently supremely confident of a big run on Saturday.

Godolphin have three in the 2017 Gr1 Investec Derby –Gr3 Craven Stakes third Benbatl (Dubawi), Lingfield Derby Trial winner Best Solution (Kodiac) and debut winner Dubai Thunder (Dubawi). Benbatl followed his Craven run with a close second to Permian in the Dante Stakes, while Dubai Thunder, a half-brother to dual Gr1 winner and sire Farhh, impressed when winning by ten lengths on his only start and could be anything.

Khalidi (son of former Derby winner High Chaparral) was supplemented into the race after winning the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood by five lengths but was beaten more than six lengths in the Dante Stakes and has ground to find.

Last year’s Gr1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere runner up Salouen (Canford Cliffs) was just beaten by Khalidi in the Listed Feilden Stakes but is not a certain stayer over the mile and a half.

G3 Ballysax Stakes winner Rekindling (a full brother to KZN sire Golden Sword) was beaten by both Permian and Benbatl in the Dante Stakes.

Crowned Eagle (Oasis Dream), a half-brother to last year’s Derby fourth Wings Of Desire (Pivotal), has won his last two outings but makes his first appearance in pattern race company. His stable mate Glencadam Glory Nathaniel) was beaten more than three lengths when second to Best Solution (Kodiac) in the Lingfield Derby Trial.

Pealer (Campanologist) has a single maiden win, at Southwell, to his credit and should be outclassed, while the controversial Diore Lia (Yeats) has yet to finish in the money and should finish last here on exposed form.