'Classy and straightforward' Derby favourite The Lion In Winter ready to tackle Dewhurst says Aidan O'Brien

Derby favourite The Lion In Winter will put his unbeaten record on the line in the Darley Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday, as Aidan O'Brien bids to win the race for a record ninth time.

It was in last year's Dewhurst that City Of Troy announced himself as a potential superstar and The Lion In Winter will bid to follow not only in his footsteps, but also those of other top-class winners from Ballydoyle such as Rock Of Gibraltar (2001), Churchill (2016) and St Mark's Basilica (2020).

The Lion In Winter was an impressive winner of his maiden at the Curragh in July, before winning what was arguably the hottest juvenile race of the whole season at York's Ebor meeting where he put the highly touted Godolphin colt Ruling Court in his place in the Acomb Stakes.