Antepost G1 Investec Derby favourites Foundation (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Midterm (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) are among the 136 3-year-olds that held their ground for that June 4 Classic at the latest scratching stage. That figure is up on the 102 that remained engaged this time last year. A maximum of 20 will be permitted to run.
Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Foundation, trained by John Gosden, won his first three starts last year, including the G2 Royal Lodge S., and was third at season's end in the G1 Racing Post Trophy after a rough trip.
Sir Michael Stoute conditions Midterm for Khalid Abdullah, and that son of six-time Grade/Group 1 winner Midday (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) has started just once, when a one-length winner of a Newbury maiden Oct. 23.
Also prominent in the betting and remaining engaged are Godolphin's Andre Fabre-trained G1 Jean-Luc Lagardere winner Ultra (Ire) (Manduro {Ger}) (16-1); Sheikh Hamdan's seven-length Nottingham maiden scorer Wajeez (Ire) (Lope De Vega {Ire}) (16-1); and Godolphin's Emotionless (Ire) (Shamardal), winner of the G2 Champagne S., and unbeaten Moonlight Magic (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}), both 20-1.
Aidan O'Brien has won three of the last four Derbies and five overall, and his 36 contenders include G1 Criterium International winner Johannes Vermeer (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and maiden winners Cook Islands (Ire) (Fastnet Rock {Aus}) and Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), all at 25-1. All odds are quoted by Coral.
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