Betfred Derby Draw: Benvenuto Cellini in stall 12 as O’Brien eyes 12th winner

Seventy-two hours ahead of the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday (16:00), the all-important draw for the historic race was made in London.

Betfred's Matt Hulmes provides his reaction to the Betfred Derby Draw, as does Derby-winning jockey Martin Dwyer.

A field of 14 will go to post for the Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

The draw for the historic Classic was made at the Peninsula Hotel in London on Wednesday morning, hosted by boxing promotor Frank Warren and 1966 World Cup winner and hat-trick hero Sir Geoff Hurst.

Aidan O’Brien is responsible for four runners as he bids for a 12th win.

Following the draw, Betfred spokesman Matt Hulmes said: “Benvenuto Cellini remains our 2/1 favourite for the Betfred Derby after pulling stall 12 - the same stall that O'Brien's Australia and Serpentine won from in 2014 and 2020 respectively."

"The Ballydoyle maestro's Pierre Bonnard has halved in price in recent days to 5/1. The son of Camelot has shortened again, into 9/2, after pulling stall eight and further falling in the area this morning.

“We have eased Maltese Cross (stall 1) to 10/1 (from 8/1) and Dante winner Item (stall 3) to 4/1 (from 7/2) drawing inside berths where statistically it has been difficult to win a Derby from.

“The coveted stall 10, responsible for 11 winners including Lambourn 12 months ago since their introduction on 1967, goes to Ancient Egypt who remains a 14/1 shot."

“Betfred are offering four places for each-way bets on Saturday's Derby."

Former jockey Martin Dwyer, who rode Sir Percy to victory from stall 10 exactly a couple of decades ago, thinks the favourite will be "hard to beat".

He said: "What an exciting race it looks this year with 14 runners, and I don’t think the draw has had that much of an effect really.

I think lucky stall number 10 and Ancient Egypt is my each-way selection. He’ll appreciate the step up in trip to a mile-and-a-half and I’m really pleased with his draw.

“But I think the favourite is going to be very hard to beat. Benvenuto Cellini is drawn in stall 12 with other Ballydoyle runners around him and that should be fine.”