Britain's richest race, the £1.5-million G1 Investec Derby, sees 26 horses stand their ground after Tuesday's latest scratching stage. Aidan O'Brien has nine engaged for the Coolmore triumvirate in the 2400-metre contest, including G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas winner Churchill (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) who is favoured at 3-1 with Unibet, while Listed Dee S. hero Cliffs Of Moher (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is second choice at 7-2. Some of his other charges include: G3 Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial victor Douglas Macarthur (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and G3 Chester Vase scorer Venice Beach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).
The six-time Derby winning trainer's son Joseph O'Brien has G3 Ballysax S. winner Rekindling (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}), while trainer John Gosden has a quartet entered, among them the unbeaten Cracksman (GB) (Frankel {GB}). Andre Fabre, the last French-based trainer to win the Derby with Pour Moi (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), is represented by G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}).
Godolphin currently has six remaining, among them G2 Dante S. runner-up Benbatl (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}), G2 Royal Lodge S. hero Best Of Days (GB) (Azamour {Ire}) and GI Kentucky Derby starter Thunder Snow (Ire) (Helmet {Aus}).
Next Monday, May 29 is the next acceptance stage for the Derby, with a fee of £85,000 required for supplemental entries. Permian (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), a winner of the G2 Dante S., is expected to join the Derby field from the Mark Johnston barn.
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