The blue-riband event of flat racing, the Gr1 Betfred Derby runs at Epsom Downs on Saturday afternoon (17h30).
Sixteen colts contest Classic glory and the first prize of £882,408.
Track conditions are likely to remain good to soft after Epsom escaped the worst of the showers on Thursday.
South African interest will centre around the Gaynor Rupert homebred Dubawi colt God’s Window, trained by John and Thady Gosden, who is a longshot but pulled the 10 draw – considered best of the gates. But will he get the trip?
Last year’s champion juvenile City Of Troy is an uneasy favourite drifting from 7/4 earlier in the week to 3/1 after sustained support for both stablemate Los Angeles and the Godolphin owned Ancient Wisdom.
After the draw presentation on Thursday, he eased further to 7/2 joint favourite with Los Angeles after drawing the most unfavourable stall at 1.
City Of Troy – time for redemption? (Pic – Racing TV)
Many racing experts including former champion jockey Willie Carson were not impressed with his seasonal re-appearance at Newmarket, both in the parade ring and in the race itself where he failed to fire finishing 9th. However, his trainer Aidan O’Brien has been steadfast in his belief that the Guineas run is best ignored, and the real deal will be on show at Epsom. It’s not easy to dismiss the view of the trainer of a record nine Derby victories.
However, Los Angeles could prove superior to his favoured stablemate. The unbeaten son of Epsom hero Camelot has Group 1 winning form on soft ground and impressed his rider Wayne Lordan on his seasonal return. That was in the Derby trial at Leopardstown last month where he was well on top at the line, suggesting that the extra two-furlongs on Saturday are sure to suit.
William Buick rides Ancient Wisdom for Godolphin and is another who will welcome this stamina test. Winner of the Gr1 Futurity last season he will need soft ground to be seen at his best.
In contrast, the Lingfield Derby Trial winner Ambiente Friendly could do with better ground and has Rab Havlin aboard for the first time. An interesting choice by his connections after Callam Shepherd piloted him home successfully at Lingfield.
Macduff is selected as the biggest threat to Los Angeles, currently trading at around 12/1.
The son of Sea The Stars ran well on his return last month when runner-up to the smart Arabian Crown in the Classic Trial at Sandown. The Juddmonte colt looks the type who will relish the step up in trip and is unexposed. The top-class Rossa Ryan retains the ride.
