Betfred Derby Runners: A guide to the 19 Classic contenders

This year's Betfred Derby, staged at Epsom on Saturday afternoon (15:30), has attracted a total of 19 runners, making it the biggest field since 2003.

I've produced a guide to all of the Betfred Derby Runners, featuring the latest odds and a brief assessment of each horse's Classic chances.

Delacroix (Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore) @ 4/1

The pick of stable jockey Ryan Moore for Aidan O'Brien, who's won the Betfred Derby a record 10 times. That alone is enough to justify his current position at the head of market. Won a couple of Group 3s over a couple of furlongs shorter, including a key Derby Trial, at Leopardstown already this season and his draw in stall 14 is fine. Solid claims.

Pride of Arras (Ralph Beckett/Rossa Ryan) @ 9/2

Won the Dante, which has produced 11 Derby winners since its formation in 1958, at York last month on just the second start of his career. Clearly very talented, but his lack of experience is a concern - especially emerging from a stall (16) that's failed to produce a single winner of the world-famous race.

Ruling Court (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) @ 5/1

Betfred 2000 Guineas winner bids to become the first horse since Camelot in 2012 to do the Classic double. The son of Justify is yet to race over further than a mile, but if he gets the trip - and handles the uniqueness of Epsom - he's got all the ability to do exactly that. Draw in stall 7 is sure to please top connections.

The Lion In Winter (Aidan O'Brien/Colin Keane) @ 7/1

Underwhelmed in the Dante on seasonal reappearance, but he was far too keen and his masterful trainer warned that he wasn't at 100%. Sure to strip a lot fitter for the run, but history says he has it all to do after his draw in stall 19.

Lambourn (Aidan O'Brien/Wayne Lordan) @ 17/2

Undoubtedly the best drawn runner in stall 10 - the most successful starting position in Betfred Derby history courtesy of 11 winners. No match for stablemate Delacroix, who carried a three-pound penalty, at Leopardstown back in March, but he won the Chester Vase next time out over the Derby trip, proving his stamina. Fair chance, though there's always the fear he could be used as a pacemaker.

Damysus (John & Thady Gosden/James Doyle) @ 12/1

Runner-up in the Dante after placing in Group 3 company at Sandown a month prior. Two highly-credible efforts and the son of Frankel is open to further improvement on just his fourth-ever start. Emerging from stall 15 is not ideal, but good chance still.

Stanhope Gardens (Ralph Beckett/Hector Crouch) @ 14/1

Lesser-fancied of the two for Arc-winning trainer Ralph Beckett. This one was beaten by Ruling Court and Delacroix (marginally) last year, but it's yet to be seen how much better he is this year, for his comeback at Salisbury was a gimmie. Interesting enough as he steps markedly up in trip, but there's never been a winner of the great race emerge from stall 2.

Midak (Francis-Henri Graffard/Mickael Barzalona) @ 14/1

Arguably the most interesting of the 19 runners. French raider is unbeaten in three starts on the other side of The Channel, including a straightforward Group 3 scalp at Saint-Cloud last month. Aga Khan Studs-owned colt was supplemented for the Betfred Derby run in honour of the late prince, which intrigues itself. No issues with his draw in stall 4.

Nightwalker (John & Thady Gosden/Tom Marquand) @ 25/1

Ticks the right boxes in terms of breeding and connections and he's got a nice draw (5), but ultimately the son of Frankel has won just one of five career starts - a maiden at Yarmouth. Fifth in the Dante is decent form, but he's got a bit to find on the winner and runner-up, let alone the rest of the field. Hard to advise.

Tennessee Stud (Joseph O'Brien/Dylan Browne McMonagle) @ 25/1

Group 1 triumph in the mud at Saint-Cloud rounded off a classy juvenile campaign for this son of Wootton Bassett. Third behind Delacroix on return at Leopardstown last month is decent, but he'll need to improve to turn the tables on that rival. Good each-way chance from stall 12.

Tornado Alert (Saeed bin Suroor/Oisin Murphy) @ 33/1

Very interesting runner after finishing fourth at 50/1 in the Betfred 2000 Guineas. That was a massive step up on what he achieved last year, and the Too Darn Hot colt ought to have even more to offer. Stall 11 fine, too. Trip the unknown.

New Ground (Henri Francois Devin/Alexis Pouchin) @ 40/1

Another French raider supplemented at the final hour. Unbeaten juvenile, but he's yet to win in a couple of starts at three, finishing third at Group 3 and Listed level. Needs a lot more, especially after a wide draw (17).

Tuscan Hills (Raphael Freire/David Egan) @ 40/1

Relative to Oaks winner Eswarah went into the Dante unbeaten, but could only manage seventh of 11. Plenty to find on that, but Amo Racing's only runner remains very lightly-raced and has a nice draw in stall 6. There's worse each-way bets.

Lazy Griff (Charlie Johnston/Christophe Soumillon) @ 50/1

Won a Grade 3 in France on the fifth and final start of an average two-year-old season, and then was only a length-and-a-half behind the significantly-shorter Lambourn in the Chester Vase. Looks well overpriced on that evidence.

Sea Scout (Simon & Ed Crisford/Harry Davies) @ 80/1

Beat the 105-rated Trinity College, admittedly a little fortunately in my view, in a Listed event at Epsom in April. That rival has since finished a staying-on fourth in the French Derby, franking the form. Sea Scout was disappointing in the Dante subsequently, which dampens enthusiasm somewhat, but a return to Surrey could see improvement. Stall 18 a big negative, though.

Al Wasl Storm (Owen Burrows/David Probert) @ 100/1

Rated just 86, which gives him 20lbs+ to find on the majority of his rivals. I'm a huge fan of his trainer and Green Team Racing have a good record in the Derby of late, but it's unrealistic to expect such improvement.

Green Storm (Charlie Johnston/Billy Loughnane) @ 100/1

Rated over 20lbs higher than some of those around him in the market and some of his juvenile form is high class. Got a nice draw in stall 8, too, but he needs to leave his reappearance at Newmarket well behind. It's possible he might do that.

Nightime Dancer (Richard Hannon/Jamie Spencer) @ 150/1

Third in what I think was a good Lingfield Derby Trial. He was beaten by over three lengths, though, so more is needed here. Each-way claims at best.

Rogue Impact (James Owen/Luke Morris) @ 200/1

Only managed to better two of 16 rivals in a couple of starts either side of his victory over Al Wasl Storm in Lingfield earlier this year. He's got it all to do.

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