The Derby tips: Field, horse by horse guide, latest odds and 1-2-3 prediction for Epsom

Aidan O’Brien has a chance to extend his Betfred Derby winning record to ten at Epsom on Saturday.

The master trainer is responsible for three of the 16 horses declared for the world famous £1.5 million Classic, which will be shown live on ITV at 4.30pm..

Despite his extraordinary feats, it has not been plain sailing for the Ballydoyle trainer who unusually has drawn a blank in the first six of 2024’s major European Classics.

City Of Troy, described last year as the horse who could become ‘our Frankel’, failed his first Classic test when well beaten in the 2,000 Guineas.

He will now attempt to redeem himself at Epsom just like Auguste Roden did last year after bombing at Newmarket.

Los Angeles, winner of the Leopardstown Derby Trial, has been pushing his stablemate for favouritism while Godolphin’s Ancient Wisdom has attracted plenty of support due to possible soft going.

Lingfield Derby Trial winner Ambiente Friendly has been the subject of controversy in the lead up after owners, 90-year-old Bill Gredley and son Tim, replaced jockey Callum Shepherd with 50-year-old Robert Havlin.

Betfred Derby: Guide to the key runners and latest William Hill odds

City Of Troy (3-1) - A major drifter in the betting this week as punters turned to his stablemate Los Angeles. Last year’s champion two-year-old was praised to the skies by O’Brien but his defeat in the 2,000 Guineas was a head-scratcher. O’Brien retains faith in him, as does Ryan Moore. We’re guessing about his chance in the Derby but the stable turned fortunes around with Auguste Rodin, so why not City Of Troy?

Los Angeles (3-1) - As he is unbeaten in three starts and a Group 1 winner on very soft ground, it was no surprise to see his odds contract while rain was falling at Epsom. It may not end up as soft as punters expect and, while he is sure to stay, he may still fall short of the requisite class.

Ancient Wisdom (4-1) - Might not have been running at all but for the fatal injury suffered by Hidden Law and training setback to Arabian Crown, Nevertheless he is another Group 1 winner who is proven on soft ground. Was no match for Economics in the Dante Stakes at York but as that winner is not here, the Godolphin colt must be on the shortlist, especially if conditions remain on the soft side.

Ambiente Friendly (7-1) - Stormed into the reckoning with four and a half lengths success in the Lingfield Derby Trial and has a live chance of upsetting the major yards. The change of jockey to Robert Havlin was not popular but it won’t diminish his prospects.

Dancing Gemini (12-1) - Showed he had the class for this level when finishing second in the French 2,000 Guineas. Now steps up in distance by half a mile instead of going for the French Derby, in which he would surely have had a better chance.

Macduff (14-1) - Was no match for the now absent Arabian Crown in the Sandown Classic Trial but should appreciate the step up to 1m4f.

Voyage (16-1) - impressive winner on debut at Newbury in April but difficult to know his level without having had another run in one of the Derby trials.

Deira Mile (20-1) - One of two runners for his Derby fanatic owner, who was second with 150-1 chance Hoo Ya Mal two years ago. Still a maiden when fourth in last year’s Futurity Trophy but got off the mark comfortably at Windsor last month.

Bellum Justum (25-1) - An expensive recruit for Leicester City owners King Power, he has winning form at Epsom but will need to show a lot more to figure.

Euphoric (33-1) - Only a length behind stablemate Los Angeles when trying to make all the running last time but likely to be used in the same role at Epsom.

Dallas Star (40-1) - Ambitious Amo Racing finished second with King Of Steel last year but this colt is unlikely to be up to that level.

Sayedaty Sadaty (50-1) - Second to impressive Caviar Heights at Newmarket but that winner could not back that up when only sixth in the Dante Stakes.

Gods Window (100-1) - Rare to see a runner at such big odds from the Gosden stable but this colt has been well held in two trials and probably needs soft ground to be considered even an each way chance.

Kamboo (100-1) - Form of Kempton win has been well franked but he is taking on quite a jump in class.

Mr Hampstead (100-1) - Amo Racing forked out more than £450,000 for the impeccably bred who remains a maiden after three starts.

Tabletalk (150-1) - The owner of Kamboo paid £75,000 to supplement a second runner but on what this colt has shown so far he is unlikely to get any of it back.

VERDICT: Without three of the best winners of the Derby trials in the field there are a lot of social runners in this year’s race, which would appear to be between the top four in the betting. Aidan O’Brien heaped a whole lot of pressure on his shoulders with his praise of CITY OF TROY. He was proved right last year but the colt’s 2,000 Guineas reappearance was bewildering. O’Brien has now set himself the same challenge as he pulled off with Auguste Rodin last year and, without another compelling candidate, it may pay to stick with City Of Troy. Ancient Wisdom looks the best of the rest and Ambiente Friendly should make the frame too.

1 City Of Troy, 2 Ancient Wisdom, 3 Ambiente Friendly