'It's not a good thing for us' - Aidan O'Brien raises potential problem with decision to finalise Derby field a day earlier

The Betfred Derby field will be finalised earlier than ever after the Jockey Club announced next month's Classic will feature declarations 72 hours out, but the move has not been welcomed by Aidan O'Brien – the leading trainer in the history of the race – who raised concerns over the change. 

The 246th running of the Derby will be staged on June 7, but the final line-up will be known 24 hours earlier than usual in a bid to bolster the excitement and anticipation for the Epsom Classic.

Worth £1.5 million, the Derby build-up is also set to feature a new-look draw ceremony, with Epsom and the BHA using equipment deployed for football's FA Cup draws.

O'Brien's The Lion In Winter is the 7-2 ante-post favourite, although Godolphin's Ruling Court is closing in at the head of the market at a top-priced 5-1 after his 2,000 Guineas success at Newmarket on Saturday.

Epsom general manager Jim Allen said: “This racecourse has been at the forefront of positive change and new initiatives in British horseracing for generations, with the Derby becoming the first race to be filmed back in 1896 and then the first sporting event to be broadcast in 1931.

2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court could be one of the leading players for this year's raceCredit: Edward Whitaker

“We’re delighted to be able to introduce 72-hour declarations for this year’s Betfred Derby, demonstrating we are always looking for new ways to innovate and ensure our sport’s most iconic Flat race continues to stand out from the rest.

“Having consulted with a range of stakeholders we are confident this change will not only help build anticipation for the world’s most famous Flat race earlier in the week but also provide more certainty around the runners and riders on the day, driving more interest and engagement before the start of the Betfred Derby festival.

“We are hugely grateful to the BHA for its co-operation and help in order to make this change happen at relatively short notice, and to all those participants who have supported us.”

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The change means the Derby field will be known at 10am on Wednesday, June 4, although the remaining races on the card, and those on the Betfred Oaks card the day before, including the fillies' Classic, will retain their 48-hour declaration stage.

All rider bookings will need to be finalised by 1pm on June 4, with the draw ceremony taking place two hours earlier at Epsom's Picturehouse, a cinema in the centre of the town. 

Asked at the Curragh about the change, O'Brien, who has won the Derby on ten occasions, starting with Galileo in 2001 and most recently with City Of Troy last June, said the decision was not his preference and pointed to the potential for a lot to change in 72 hours.

Aidan O'Brien: "It wouldn't have been our preference to do something like that"Credit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

O'Brien said: "It's not a good thing for us anyway. It's never a good thing when you train horses but, listen, they do what they have to do. 

"What I would say is that 12 hours is a long time in a racehorse's life, never mind 72. I'm not complaining as that is what they've decided to do and they have their reasons, but it wouldn't have been our preference to do something like that. 

"I think they’ll give it a go and see what is going to happen. The problem about doing it like that is that you could have non-runners. Horses might not be right and lots of things can change."

The potential field for the Derby will be narrowed down on Tuesday at the first scratchings stage. Supplementary entries can be added to the Derby on June 2, although it will cost connections £75,000 to do so.

Betfred Derby (3.30 Epsom, June 7)
Betfred: 7-2 The Lion In Winter, 4 Ruling Court, 8 Twain, 10 Delacroix, 20 Expanded, 25 Expanded, Stanhope Gardens, Opera Ballo, 33 bar

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