Classic Hopefuls Line Up In Dee S.

Four Classic winners have emerged from this Derby trial since 1971 and there could be another if the string vibes surrounding Ballydoyle's 'TDN Rising Star' Cliffs of Moher are right. Not seen since beating stablemate Orderofthegarter (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) by 5 1/2 lengths in a seven-furlong maiden at Leopardstown in October, the bay from the family of Henrythenavigator bids to provide Aidan O'Brien with a sixth edition since 2005. “We always liked him last year and he was very green the first time and won well the next time,” his trainer said. “We were a little bit under pressure to get him out, but we knew if he was going to the Derby we had to and that's where we are with him. He's ready to start, but he's going to have to learn a lot around here in a short space of time. We're very happy with his work at home.” Sir Michael Stoute brought subsequent Derby hero Kris Kin here 14 years ago and puts forward Mirage Dancer, a son of Heat Haze (GB) (Green Desert) who bids to heap more glory on his remarkable family. Successful on debut over seven furlongs at Doncaster in October, the bay could be anything. “He's taken a little while to come to hand, but Sir Michael is happy with him,” racing manager Teddy Grimthorpe said. “He is going in at the deep end a little bit, so we'll see how he gets on.”