Camelot (in purple) just got up to win the 2,000 Guineas by a neck
PICTURE: Edward Whitaker (racingpost.com/photos)Camelot heads strong O'Brien Derby challenge
WITH Aidan O'Brien's form in Classics this season it would be no surprise if the biggest threat to champion-elect Camelot's chances of Investec Derby domination came from within his own yard.
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With O'Brien responsible for three of the four Classic winners in Britain and Ireland so far in 2012, he is in a strong position to add the Derby with four of Camelot's potential 11 rivals also trained by the Ballydoyle maestro.
Among them were Dee Stakes winner Astrology and Imperial Monarch, who won the Sandown Derby Trial travelling wide round the outside on the far rail on the home bend before overcoming recent Listed winner Thought Worthy, who reopposes, up the home straight with the two runners the width of the track apart.
O'Brien also saddles Father Of Science, a half brother to 2002 Derby winner High Chaparral, and Tower Rock. The only other trainer to be double-handed is Andrew Balding, with Minimise Risk and second-favourite Bonfire.
Bonfire impressed many when winning the Dante, and having been advised ante-post by Pricewise he has been well supported into 9-2.
David Lanigan's Main Sequence was 66-1 when he was supplemented at a cost of £8,000 in April, yet two cosy victories later he is just 11-1 to give his trainer a first success in the race.
Richard Fahey's Chester Vase winner Mickdaam also lines up, with Hayley Turner's mount Cavaleiro and the Henry Candy-trained Rugged Cross rounding out the 12.
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