Aidan O'Brien will bid for a record-extending 12th victory in the £2 million Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday, fielding a strong team of four contenders after the 72-hour declaration deadline. The Ballydoyle maestro, fresh from a 1-2-3 in the French Derby with Constitution River, heads into the Classic with Benvenuto Cellini, the Chester Vase winner, as the bookmakers' favourite.
Benvenuto Cellini is expected to be ridden by Ryan Moore, who seeks a fifth Derby win. O'Brien's other runners are Action, Christmas Day, and Pierre Bonnard. The main threats include Item, trained by Andrew Balding for Juddmonte and winner of the Dante Stakes, and Maltese Cross, owned by film producer George Waud and trained by William Haggas, who won the Lingfield Derby Trial.
Joseph O'Brien, Aidan's son, will attempt to win the race he captured as a jockey with James J Braddock, winner of the Leopardstown Derby Trial. Football agent Kia Joorabchian, who has had two near-misses in Amo Racing colours, fields Ancient Egypt and outsider Poker. The Yorkshire-trained colt Ancient Egypt, who cost £1.1 million, won the Feilden Stakes at Newmarket.
The draw was made in London on Wednesday. Benvenuto Cellini drew stall 12, while Ancient Egypt secured stall 10, from which 12 winners have emerged since 1967, including last year's winner Lambourn. Christophe Soumillon will ride Pierre Bonnard. The race is set for Saturday with 14 runners.
