A guide to the Derby runners and how to pick the winner

A series of confusing, rather than informative, trials has led to the biggest Investec Derby field since 2003, with 19 runners due to line up at Epsom on Saturday.

The betting suggests the £921,537.50 prize for finishing first could go to any number of horses, so here's our handy guide to the main players and how you can unravel the Classic conundrum.

Leading fancies

Cliffs Of Moher

Aidan O'Brien has six chances, yes six, to win the race and the market thinks Cliffs Of Moher is his best chance of winning the contest for a sixth time.

Winner of the Dee Stakes at Chester's May meeting, Cliffs Of Moher was workmanlike rather than spectacular on that occasion, but to be head of the Ballydoyle pecking order is a big plus, and he was chosen by Ryan Moore.

Cracksman

The other joint-favourite, Cracksman won the Derby trial at Epsom, but then soft ground thwarted John Gosden's intentions of running him in the Dante.

He instead opted to come back to Epsom for Breakfast with the Stars to give Cracksman a bit more experience, something Gosden believes the colt could have done with more of, and he does have the assistance of a certain Frankie Dettori in the saddle.

Eminent

Expect social media to go into meltdown if this son of Frankel wins. A Derby winner for Frankel so early in his stallion career would be massive, and it would be a huge moment in trainer Martyn Meade's career as well.

Sixth in the 2,000 Guineas when the race was not run to suit, Eminent was noted by many as a likely Derby player that day, and the extra half mile is expected to play to his strengths.

Permian: would prove reminiscent of Erhaab if winning the DerbyCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Permian

Supplemented on Monday, Permian has done nothing but improve this season. Second to Cracksman in the Epsom Derby trial, Permian then won the Dante, usually one of the key trials for the Derby itself.

With ten runs, he is the most exposed runner in the field, but handles the track and is in great form so commands respect.

Best Solution

Announced himself as a Derby candidate when running away with Lingfield's trial. The race has not provided a Derby winner since 1998 so it is likely Saeed Bin Suroor's winner will need to improve.

Capri

Another O'Brien runner, Capri was a springer at the start of the week with rain forecast for Epsom. A Group 2 winner on heavy ground, Capri likes it soft, and looked a thorough stayer behind stablemate Douglas Macarthur in the Leopardstown Derby trial.

Venice Beach

Like Cliffs Of Moher, Venice Beach went to Chester's May meeting and won for O'Brien. The Chester Vase victor beat stablemates Wings Of Eagles and The Anvil (who also run on Saturday) but that form looks a level below what is required for the Derby.

Dubai Thunder: eye-catching performance on his debut at Newbury on FridayCredit: Francesca Altoft

Best of the rest

Rank outsider Diore Lia realistically has no chance, but the ongoing saga with her jockey has led to more column inches than most of the field.

John Gosden has nearly as many chances as O'Brien with five darts, and wide-margin Newbury maiden winner Dubai Thunder also has his fans.

Finding the winner: the key questions

How do favourites fare?
Not too badly, with four of the last ten obliging and in the last three years, two market leaders have won.

So should I look at big-priced runners?
No. The biggest SP since 2007 was Ruler Of The World in 2013 and he returned at 7-1, so it pays to concentrate on those at the head of affairs.

What about the draw?
Given the number of runners this year, it makes sense to look at previous runnings when there were big fields. So, Harzand (16 runners) came out of stall nine last year, and Australia was in stall 12 of 16 in 2014. Going further back, New Approach was stall three of 16 in 2008, and Authorized was stall 14 of 17 in 2007. The upshot seems to be there is no obvious bias, with luck-in-running more of a necessity.

Anything else?
There have been four Classics this season and Aidan O'Brien has won them all, so it would seem silly not to start your racecard examination by looking at his six chances.

Derby card