Following Monday's confirmation stage, there remains the possibility of a maximum field going to post for Saturday's G1 Betfred Derby at Epsom, with market leader Delacroix (Dubawi) the standout name among 20 colts still in contention for the Classic.
Last seen winning the G3 Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown by nearly three lengths, Delacroix is the sponsor's 5/2 favourite to provide trainer Aidan O'Brien with a record-extending 11th success in the Derby, having emerged as the stable's number one contender after The Lion In Winter (Sea The Stars) finished only sixth on his return to action in the G2 Dante Stakes at York.
The Lion In Winter, who was unbeaten in two starts as a two-year-old, could try to redeem his reputation at Epsom, while G3 Chester Vase hero Lambourn (Australia) and Listed Lingfield Derby Trial winner Puppet Master (Camelot) make up the four-strong contingent from Ballydoyle.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court (Justify) bids to another Classic to his CV, with the 2,000 Guineas winner one of two possible runners for Godolphin, along with the Newmarket fourth Tornado Alert (Too Darn Hot) for Saeed bin Suroor.
Ralph Beckett is also set to be doubly represented with Dante winner Pride Of Arras (New Bay) and Stanhope Gardens (Ghaiyyath), who reappeared with a straightforward victory in a conditions race at Salisbury, having ended his two-year-old campaign with a narrow defeat to Delacroix in the G3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.
John and Thady Gosden have confirmed Damysus and Nightwalker, both sons of Frankel who took part in Epsom's traditional Derby gallops morning last week, having previously finished second and fifth, respectively, in the Dante.
Nightwalker represents the Juddmonte team which added a second string to its bow on Monday, with French raider New Ground (New Bay) being supplemented at a cost of £75,000. Trained by Henri-Francois Devin, New Ground should be suited by the step up to a mile and a half, according to Juddmonte's European racing manager, Barry Mahon, having finished third in the Listed Prix de Suresnes won by Nitoi at Chantilly last time.
“His form is good and we think he is crying out for a mile and a half,” said Mahon. “We could have taken him to Chantilly [for the Prix du Jockey Club], but we decided to wait to go to Epsom. He's in great form.”
Francis-Henri Graffard's unbeaten Midak (Footstepsinthesand) has also been added to the race as he tries to emulate Pour Moi in 2011 by completing the G3 Prix Greffulhe/Derby double. He will carry the colours of the Aga Khan Studs, with the race run in honour of the late Aga Khan IV, who died in February.
Charlie Johnston is another trainer with two possible runners in Green Storm (Circus Maximus) and Lazy Griff (Protectionist), leaving Al Wasl Storm (Affinisea), Nightime Dancer (Ghaiyyath), Rogue Impact (Study Of Man), Sea Scout (Sea The Stars), Tennessee Stud (Wootton Bassett) and Tuscan Hills (Night Of Thunder) to complete what has the makings of a bumper field.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
