Tomorrow / 16.00 Epsom

16.00

Good To Soft

Betfred Derby (Group 1) (No Geldings)

  • Prize money: £1000000
  • 1m 4f 6y
  • Class 1
  • 14 runners
ITV
View Course
Betfred Derby (Group 1) (No Geldings)

Runners: 14 runners

Type: Flat Turf

Surface: Turf

Weather: Mostly cloudy

OUR TIP

Form: 132-42

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 113

Form & Verdict
Closely related to 2025 Derby winner Lambourn; carries his head high but ended last season with a close, battling second in the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy) and front-running second in the Dante at York (10.2f, good) last month was of a similar order, albeit no match for Item in the final 1f; a disappointing, sluggish display on reappearance was his only start with tongue tied; likely to stay 1m4f, with a possible place role but it's unlikely to be more unless the new cheekpieces have a major positive effect.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(7)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

16:05 York

Action

9st 2lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Closely related to 2025 Derby winner Lambourn; carries head high but progressed with every start last season and ended it with a close, battling second to one of his stablemates in the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy); consequently 4-6 for Group 3 Classic Trial at Sandown (1m2f, good) three weeks ago but sluggish leaving the stalls and for most of the race before mustering something to finish fourth of seven; perhaps a first-time tongue-tie that day backfired, and he now goes without; the form pick if he bounces back.

6/1

4th

1

(3)

24th Apr 2026

Good

1m 1f 209y

Class 1

15:35 Sandown

Action

9st 3lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Closely related to last year's Derby winner Lambourn and has his own Epsom aspirations, having ended a progressive 2yo campaign with close second to one of his stablemates in the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m, heavy); now goes in tongue-tie; the pick on the figures and may well rate higher still.

6/4

Form: 73-2

Last run: 49 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 83

Form & Verdict
Travelled well and challenged from the rear at Newbury (1m3f, good; 17-2) on reappearance seven weeks ago, sticking to his task manfully too while chasing home an exciting prospect at a respectful distance; a promising, scopey sort from a famous middle-distance family but his progressive form in maidens, without a win, does not make him a serious Derby contender.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

1

(8)

18th Apr 2026

Good

1m 3f 0y

Class 2

16:20 Newbury

Alderman

9st 7lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

Beaten just over 5l in both 2yo starts, placed at Kempton (1m, AW) latest; seemingly thought capable of much better, being entered in the Dante and the Derby; could go well.

7/1

7th

3

(3)

29th Aug 2025

Good

0m 7f 0y

Class 4

15:15 Sandown

Alderman

9st 2lb

J: Sean Levey

T: Richard Hannon

42,000gns foal; by Study Of Man and first foal of unraced daughter of 12.5f Listed winning half-sister to two Group 1 scorers; Dewhurst entry suggests he's well regarded.

10/1

Form: 117-1

Last run: 36 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 100

Form & Verdict
Frankel colt bought for 1,100,000gns as a yearling; all four races on good to firm; Beverley and Goodwood novice wins last summer before the Group 2 Royal Lodge saw a comprehensive end to his unbeaten record; he returned to Newmarket, however, with an ultimately authoritative win in a five-runner Listed race (1m2f) five weeks ago, helping to make the running; 1m4f beckons strongly after that and he's included in each-way calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(1)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

14:20 Newmarket

Ancient Egypt

9st 2lb

J: Rowan Scott

T: Charlie Johnston

Won fast-ground novice races at Beverley (7.4f) and Goodwood (1m) last summer on his first two starts; he's better than he showed when 14l seventh of eight in the Group 2 Royal Lodge here in September (1m, good to firm; 16-1) and has Dante/Derby entries but others have more pressing claims.

16/1

2

(1)

27th Sep 2025

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

13:50 Newmarket

Ancient Egypt

9st 2lb

J: David Egan

T: Charlie Johnston

1,100,000gns Frankel colt; has been more workmanlike than flashy in winning his novices at Beverley and Goodwood (1m; both on good to firm) but there's no knocking an unbeaten start and he might be the type who only does enough in his races (reportedly a lazy worker at home); has to improve at this level but that's very feasible.

8/1

Form: 410-16

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 84

Form & Verdict
Won a Brighton maiden and 1m2f AW handicap at Lingfield; however, he ended last season with last of ten in a French Group 1 (1m2f, very soft) and subsided rapidly to be last of six in the Lingfield Derby Trial (11.6f, good to firm; 33-1); his owner is renowned for Derby contenders who have run well at big prices, but hopes for this one may be stretching it.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

6th

1

(5)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 133y

Class 1

13:58 Lingfield

A Taste Of Glory

9st 2lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Andrew Balding

It was a French Group 1 (1m2f, very soft) which saw his progress arrested as a 2yo; his improved form to win a six-runner handicap here (1m2f, AW) on reappearance came by a neck off a mark of just 80 and although the runner-up has won twice since, this race clearly demands big improvement.

33/1

1st

2

(1)

20th Mar 2026

Standard

1m 2f 0y

Class 4

14:42 Lingfield (AW)

A Taste Of Glory

9st 5lb

J: Daniel Muscutt

T: Andrew Balding

Improved with each of his first three runs as a 2yo, winning a 1m maiden at Brighton in October; faced a stiff task upped to Group 1 company in France 19 days later (1m2f, very soft) and came up well short; the fact he was even considered for that race suggests an opening mark of 80 should be within range.

6/1

Form: 3-133

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 97

Form & Verdict
Novice winner whose rallying third of six in Listed race here (1m2f, good) in April suggested that longer trips would suit; tried 11.6f in the Lingfield Derby Trial (good to firm) and recorded his highest rating, but Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance were just over 6l ahead of him; major work to do.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

2

(2)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 133y

Class 1

13:58 Lingfield

Balzac

9st 2lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Winning siblings include Claymore, a Group 3 winner at 1m2f for this yard; third to Maltese Cross in a 1m Newmarket maiden on sole 2yo start; evens when making all in a Kempton novice (1m, AW) on return and his rallying third of six in Listed race at Epsom (1m2f, good) suggested that this longer trip would suit; some others have better form but he can improve.

25/1

3rd

1

(1)

28th Apr 2026

Good To Firm

1m 2f 17y

Class 1

14:40 Epsom

Balzac

9st 3lb

J: Hollie Doyle

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Winning siblings include Claymore, a Group 3 winner at 1m2f for this yard; lots to like about his persevering third of seven in a good 1m Newmarket maiden (22-1; ridden by 7lb claimer) on debut but he didn't need any more than that form when making all on Kempton AW (1m) this month; Derby entry who should make a better 3yo but how much better will be clearer after today.

8/1

Form: 511-2

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 107

Form & Verdict
Half-brother to smart Flat and hurdle winner Absurde; odds-on winner of maiden at Goodwood (1m2f, soft) and novice at Redcar (1m1f, good to soft; made all) on last two starts as 2yo; pushed Maltese Cross all the way in Lingfield Derby Trial (11.6f, good to firm) and could improve on that first-time-out display; more to do but he's heading the right way.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(1)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 133y

Class 1

13:58 Lingfield

Bay Of Brilliance

9st 2lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Half-brother to smart Flat and hurdle winner Absurde; odds-on winner of maiden at Goodwood (1m2f, soft) and novice at Redcar (1m1f, good to soft) on last two starts as 2yo, in the latter making all and stretching 8l clear; needs a good deal better in this company but he's clearly promising.

5/1

1

(1)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Redcar

Bay Of Brilliance

9st 11lb

J: Hector Crouch

T: Ralph Beckett

Seemed to be tapped for toe in the latter stages over 7f on debut; suited by the step up in trip at Goodwood (1m2f, soft) and the form of that success has been franked; respected under 7lb penalty.

Evs

Form: 2113-1 D

Last run: 31 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 112

Form & Verdict
Frankel colt who was dominant in a maiden last July, a Group 2 at Leopardstown (1m) in September and Group 3 Chester Vase (12.5f, good) one month ago; his free-flowing, long-striding action was seen to good effect in those races, but not on heavy ground when third in the Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m) in October; soft ground would also introduce something for him to prove but otherwise he brings strength of stamina and among the best form; if the ground is okay, a bold show looks assured.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

1

(5)

6th May 2026

Good To Soft

1m 4f 63y

Class 1

15:05 Chester

Benvenuto Cellini

9st 6lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Made all in a maiden last July and most impressive in four-runner Group 2 at Leopardstown (1m, good to yielding) in September; made favourite for the Derby on the back of that, and still has that position despite his third of five behind two stablemates when warm favourite for Group 1 Futurity at Doncaster (1m) in October, which was on heavy ground; sister Giselle won last year's Lingfield Oaks Trial (Oaks fifth); their trainer is the first one to turn to for winners of these Chester Derby and Oaks trials; hard to beat.

1/2

2

(2)

25th Oct 2025

Heavy

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

14:05 Doncaster

Benvenuto Cellini

9st 3lb

J: Christophe Soumillon

T: A P O’Brien

Made all in a maiden at Killarney (1m, yielding to soft) in July on his second run and easily followed up under Christophe Soumillon in the four-runner Group 2 Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown (1m, good to yielding) last month; favourite for the Derby on the back of that and, while he's been weak in the ante-post betting for this race, he certainly has star potential.

11/10

Form: 511-13 BF

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Maiden success was on heavy going; Group 3 Ballysax at Leopardstown (1m2f, good to yielding) on April reappearance made it three wins in a row and his Dante third at York (10.2f, good) next time was at least as good on form; while lacking anything like the same dash as winner Item at York, and also unable to get to grips with stablemate Action, he did plug on as if 1m4f could help; it clearly needs to.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

3rd

3

(6)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

16:05 York

Christmas Day

9st 2lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Won a heavy-ground maiden on third 2yo start and led on the post in Group 3 at Leopardstown (1m1f, yielding) in October; 11-1 with three of his stablemates among those at shorter odds when he reappeared in nine-runner Group 3 Ballysax at Leopardstown (1m2f, good to yielding) last month but it was him who asserted in the final 1f to win by half a length; will stay further but looks firmly in the mix.

2/1

1st

2

(7)

12th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

16:55 Leopardstown

Christmas Day

9st 8lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Short head winner from A Boy Named Susie in the Eyrefield Stakes over 1m1f here last October; extra furlong should suit but would probably need more than a 2lb concession to account for Pierre Bonnard.

13/2

Form: 11-1

Last run: 23 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 117

Form & Verdict
Well on top last September in a maiden at Kempton (7f, AW) and novice at Bath (1m, good to firm); non-runner in Group 1 Futurity due to heavy going; not the easiest to settle when reappearing in Group 2 Dante at York (10.2f, good; 11-2) last month but he mastered front-running Action in the last half furlong to win it, putting Christmas Day in the shade as well; settling a bit better (fine as 2yo) would cement claims for 1m4f but this son of Frankel won going away and brings clear potential, plus leading form and an unbeaten record.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

5

(1)

14th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 56y

Class 1

16:05 York

Item

9st 2lb

J: Colin Keane

T: Andrew Balding

Well on top last September in a maiden at Kempton (7f, AW) and four-runner novice at Bath (1m, good to firm); non-runner in Group 1 Futurity in October due to heavy going; this Frankel colt has a lot to find on ratings but he's a fascinating prospect who looks sure to be suited by 1m2f+.

6/1

Form: 21-51

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Second start as 2yo was a 6l win in Curragh maiden (1m, heavy); never able to challenge on return in the Group 3 Ballysax won by Christmas Day and couldn't have left it any later in the Derby Trial back over Leopardstown's 1m2f (good) four weeks ago, but upstaging Pierre Bonnard so dramatically in the latter reinforces the feeling that 1m4f will suit him well; his sire's sole Group 1 win was at this trip; each-way player.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(3)

10th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:40 Leopardstown

James J Braddock

9st 5lb

J: Dylan Browne McMonagle

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Promising Navan debut when strong-finishing 1/2l second over 1m, despite rider losing an iron close home; impressed in beating two stablemates in testing conditions in a 1m Curragh maiden at the beginning of November; got outpaced in the Ballysax on reappearance, kept on late in fifth, around 3l behind Endorsement.

8/1

5th

6

(4)

12th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

16:55 Leopardstown

James J Braddock

9st 5lb

J: J M Sheridan

T: Joseph Patrick O’Brien

Promising Navan debut when strong finishing 1/2l second over 1m, despite rider losing an iron close home (yielding); impressed in beating two stablemates in testing conditions in a 1m Curragh maiden at the beginning of November; should make the grade at Pattern level

7/1

Form: 21-11 D

Last run: 28 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Debut was on soft; all four of his races were tight finishes and he won the last three; pulled it out of the fire against useful rivals in a valuable novice event at Newbury (1m2f, good) and narrowly maintained an advantage over Bay Of Brilliance as the pair drew clear in a ding-dong battle for the Lingfield Derby Trial (11.6f, good to firm) four weeks ago; his pedigree is all about 1m4f, including with his sire and dam's sire both Derby winners, and he also shapes as if every yard today will suit; needs to pull out more again but has to be in each-way calculations.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

6

(3)

9th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 133y

Class 1

13:58 Lingfield

Maltese Cross

9st 2lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Went close on debut at Ascot (1m, soft) and beat notable rivals in a Newmarket maiden (1m, good) later in September; favourite for a valuable novice event at Newbury (1m2f, good) three weeks ago and battled his way to another narrow win, in a blanket finish but there's a good chance he will come on from that run and be suited by this longer trip (very much supported by pedigree); firmly in the mix.

5/2

1st

1

(3)

17th Apr 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

15:42 Newbury

Maltese Cross

9st 8lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: William Haggas

Dante and Derby entry; went close on debut at Ascot (1m, soft) and one better in a Newmarket maiden (1m, good) later in September; battled back admirably in the latter, which is strong form; looks a good prospect for 1m2f and probably even more so for 1m4f.

5/2

Form: 111-72 BF

Last run: 27 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Asserted late on to finish firmly on top last October in a Group 3 at Newmarket (good to firm) and Group 1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud (very soft) and they were over 1m2f; 3yo campaign got off to a muted start but he briefly hit the front in Derby Trial at Leopardstown before James J Braddock swooped and Aidan O'Brien has stressed that he went gently with him at home until after that race; his sire and dam's sire were Derby winners (dam won 1m2f Group 1 Nassau) and he now moves up from 1m2f; he looked every inch a serious Derby contender last term and that's probably still the impression to go with.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(1)

10th May 2026

Good

1m 2f 0y

15:40 Leopardstown

Pierre Bonnard

9st 5lb

J: Wayne Lordan

T: A P O’Brien

Beat Shaihann in a 1m Dundalk maiden last August; looked smart on his final two juvenile starts; asserted strongly when beating stablemate Endorsement in the Zetland Stakes (1m2f, good to firm); readily beat A Boy Named Susie on very soft ground in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud; now needs to rebuild his reputation after tame eclipse in the Ballysax

4/6

7th

1

(3)

12th Apr 2026

Good To Yielding

1m 2f 0y

16:55 Leopardstown

Pierre Bonnard

9st 10lb

J: Ryan Moore

T: A P O’Brien

Made rapid progress to become a top middle-distance prospect after winning a 1m Dundalk maiden; asserted strongly when beating stablemate Endorsement in the Zetland Stakes (1m2f, good to firm); continued his rise with a smart display to beat A Boy Names Susie on very soft ground in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud; sets the standard.

10/11

Form: 62-2

Last run: 42 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 80

Form & Verdict
Having fetched 4,300,000gns in 2024, he is the most expensive yearling colt ever sold at auction in Europe; by Wootton Bassett out of a sister to Oaks winner Was; on the other hand, he was left nearly 9l behind by Bay Of Brilliance at Redcar (1m1f, good to soft) in October and sported cheekpieces at 10-1 when a front-running second of four to a stablemate in Haydock novice (1m4f, good to firm) in April; tenacious in the latter but the dream was once of so much more.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

3

(4)

25th Apr 2026

Good

1m 3f 175y

Class 2

13:25 Haydock

Poker

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: K R Burke

Ran to a modest level in novices on good to soft ground last autumn (7f and 1m1f); upped in trip and tried in headgear for his reappearance and this 4,300,000gns yearling remains capable of better.

9/1

5

(5)

27th Oct 2025

Good To Soft

1m 1f 0y

Class 5

13:30 Redcar

Poker

9st 4lb

J: David Egan

T: K R Burke

Only sixth of nine, performing well below market expectations, in Haydock event (7f, good to soft) but seems the type to do much better, being a 4,300,000gns (yearling) purchase who has a smart pedigree.

4/1

Form: 1-2

Last run: 39 days

W: 9st 2lb

3 yo Colt

OR: 99

Form & Verdict
Strong late on to grab a maiden at Kempton (1m, AW) in November and came from last to second in the six-runner Listed Trial here (1m2f, good; 33-1) in April; hopes for the latter form seem to have been punctured and although he looks capable of better and shapes as if 1m4f will suit him well, 1m4f in something other than the Derby would seem much more realistic.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price
No Results Found

Betting Forcast

16/1 Action, 200/1 Alderman, 14/1 Ancient Egypt, 150/1 A Taste Of Glory, 150/1 Balzac, 12/1 Bay Of Brilliance, 2/1 Benvenuto Cellini, 20/1 Christmas Day, 7/2 Item, 10/1 James J Braddock, 9/1 Maltese Cross, 5/1 Pierre Bonnard, 200/1 Poker, 100/1 Rebel Rocker

Verdict

Aidan O'Brien keeps chalking up the Derby winners, not necessarily with his apparent first string ridden by Ryan Moore but the pair can team up to winning effect again this year with BENVENUTO CELLINI. He's proved his stamina and did so at Chester, which strengthens the chance that he will handle this idiosyncratic track, but it must be said that soft ground would give him more to prove and how much rain has fallen on Thursday and Friday could be of major relevance. O'Brien second string Pierre Bonnard is feared most based on the abundant promise of his major 1m2f wins as a 2yo, which has not yet been fulfilled but his latest start suggests that he is heading back in the right direction. That race was won in last-gasp fashion by James J Braddock, who can raise his game even further over this longer trip, as can the Lingfield Derby Trial winner Maltese Cross and they are both serious each-way contenders. The principal British-trained hope, though, appears to be Item who is one of the least experienced horses in the race but the only unbeaten one. He swatted aside Action and Christmas Day (today's O'Brien third and fourth string) in the prestigious Dante at York over an extended 1m2f but he's not the nailed-on certainty to relish 1m4f which Benvenuto Cellini is.[Richard Austen]

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Benvenuto Cellini

POSTDATA:

Maltese Cross

TOPSPEED:

Benvenuto Cellini