The road to the Derby: the key trials and big names ready to run in a blockbuster next eight days

Chester’s May meeting signals the beginning of a fascinating week-long period in which the Betfred Derby picture will become much clearer.

Our first major clues for Britain’s most prestigious Flat race came in the 2,000 Guineas last weekend, with Godolphin’s Ruling Court now the 4-1 second favourite for the Derby following his Newmarket success as he embarks on a potential Triple Crown bid.

Plenty of his fellow 2,000 Guineas runners, including the likes of Tornado Alert (fourth at Newmarket) Wimbledon Hawkeye (fifth) and Green Impact (sixth), could join him there, although obvious Classic contenders have not emerged from some of the other recognised Derby trials to have taken place in Britain this season.

Epsom’s Blue Riband Trial, which despite taking place at the home of the Derby has seen its importance wane, saw a shock result as 40-1 shot Sea Scout prevailed, and he is set to have another trial run before a decision is made on his Classic participation.

Sandown’s Classic Trial, last used as a Derby-winning prep by Adayar in 2021, was won by the Aidan O’Brien-trained Swagman, who does not hold an entry at Epsom.

Therefore it is likely that most of the main challengers to Ruling Court will emerge over the next eight days when we head from Chester through to Lingfield, Leopardstown and York, and with only four runners shorter than 20-1 in the current ante-post market some major shake-ups are inevitable. Notebooks at the ready.

Wednesday, May 7: Boodles Chester Vase, Chester

Shergar, in 1981, is the most celebrated Derby winner to have used the Chester Vase as a springboard to Epsom success, but in more recent years this trial has very much become the playground of master trainer Aidan O’Brien and he looks to hold the key again this year.

The Derby’s most successful trainer was responsible for the last colt to complete the Chester-Epsom double with Ruler Of The World in 2013 and four years later his Wings Of Eagles took second in this race before winning at Epsom.

Venice Beach beats stablemates Wings Of Eagles (far side and the future Derby winner) and The Anvil in the Chester Vase in 2017Credit: Edward Whitaker

This year O’Brien’s main contender is Lambourn, a son of 2014 Derby winner Australia. He was a Listed winner in France as a juvenile and returned in 2025 with a solid second behind highly regarded stablemate Delacroix at Leopardstown at the end of March. Lambourn’s ante-post Epsom price ranges from 25-1 to 66-1.

Of the eight Chester Vase runners, Juddmonte’s Pinhole, the Charlie Johnston-trained Lazy Griff and O’Brien’s second string Thrice are the only others to hold entries for the Derby.

Thursday, May 8: Boodles Raindance Dee Stakes, Chester

The Dee Stakes’s reputation as a Derby breeding ground is not as strong as the Vase’s and the last horse to win here and at Epsom was Kris Kin in 2003, although O’Brien did use this route in 2017 with Cliffs Of Moher, who would finish second in the big one a few weeks later.

With nine wins in the last 12 runnings of the Dee, O’Brien is again the man to follow and his two runners this year – Mount Kilimanjaro, the mount of Ryan Moore, and Isambard Brunel – both hold Derby entries. Calla Lagoon is the only other of the seven runners who would not need to be supplemented if they were impressive enough.

Saturday, May 10: William Hill Lingfield Derby Trial, Lingfield

Two of the last six Derby winners – Anthony Van Dyck in 2019 and Adayar in 2021 – ran here en route to Classic victory, while Main Sequence (2012) and Ambiente Friendly (2024) were Derby runners-up after winning at Lingfield.

Adayar couldn't get past Third Realm at Lingfield in 2021 but put that behind him to triumph at Epsom the following monthCredit: Mark Cranham

Aidan O’Brien’s four potential runners – Acapulco Bay, Galveston, Puppet Master and Stay True – all have Derby entries but also have other options at Leopardstown or York

Devil's Advocate, a beaten favourite in the Blue Riband, could bid to redeem himself in the Godolphin silks for trainers John and Thady Gosden, while Nightime Dancer for Richard Hannon and the James Owen-trained pair Rogue Impact and Rogue Millions all hold Derby entries, albeit they are around the 100-1 mark in the ante-post lists.

Sunday, May 11: Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes, Leopardstown

A rich period around the turn of the century saw Sinndar, Galileo and High Chaparral all take Ireland’s premier trial on the way to winning the Derby.

This year’s key runner could be Delacroix, who was second in the Group 1 Futurity Trophy on his final start as a two-year-old and is now a best-priced 10-1 for the Derby after winning the Ballysax Stakes on his reappearance.

Eleven of the last 12 winners have gone on to run at Epsom and while plenty ran with credit, Los Angeles’s third-place finish last year is the best any have managed.

Thursday, May 15: Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes, York

The Dante is traditionally viewed as the pre-eminent Derby trial and a look at the roll of honour tells you why with 11 future Derby winners featuring, most recently Desert Crown in 2022.

That could well be the case again this year as the York Group 2 has been earmarked for the return of ante-post Derby favourite The Lion In Winter.

The Lion In Winter: 7-2 ante-post favourite for the DerbyCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Sea The Stars colt, trained by O’Brien, has headed the Derby market since his impressive debut at the Curragh last July and he enhanced his reputation when beating Ruling Court in a red-hot Acomb Stakes at York the following month.

Those were his only runs as a two-year-old having injured himself before the Dewhurst, and the 2,000 Guineas – which O'Brien's last two Derby winners Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy flopped in – was skipped as he was slightly behind in his preparation.

Stanhope Gardens, 20-1 for the Derby, could run in opposition for Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe-winning trainer Ralph Beckett, while other top British trainers William Haggas, Andrew Balding and the Gosdens are all likely to be represented.

Betfred Derby (Epsom, June 7)
Betfred: 10-3 The Lion In Winter, 7-2 Ruling Court, 7 Twain, 8 Delacroix, 20 Stanhope Gardens, 25 Hotazhell, Green Impact, 33 bar

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