Piggott and Kinane give their Derby verdicts in our ultimate Classic guide

Day in a nutshell

It is the original, it is the best and it yet again threatens to be dominated by the man who dominates the sport.

Since its inception in 1780, the Derby has been imitated the world over but there remains nothing so coveted or so uniquely weird and wonderful as Epsom's helter-skelter, rollercoaster ride of a horserace that will once more bestow sporting immortality on its winner.

Six times in the past that winner has been trained by Aidan O'Brien, who accounts for more than half the 240th Derby field – including the favourite – in his bid to win the Investec-sponsored Classic for the seventh time, the record held by Robert Robson, John Porter and Fred Darling.

Sir Dragonet ran out a wide-margin winner of the Chester Vase for Aidan O'BrienCredit: Edward Whitaker

His chief candidate this year is Sir Dragonet, chosen by Ryan Moore after an eight-length romp in the Chester Vase, the trial won by a similarly wide margin 38 years ago by the legend that was Shergar.

That, however, was only the second start of Sir Dragonet's career. Like Britain's principal hope Telecaster – just the second runner in the Derby for trainer Hughie Morrison – Sir Dragonet did not race as a juvenile.

They are also linked by the fact both were originally entered as yearlings only to be then scratched at the first forfeit stage. Instead of paying £1,100 on March 5, their owners had to pay this week's £85,000 supplementary entry fee.

Should either Sir Dragonet or Telecaster scoop the £921,538 first prize and the promise of future breeding riches, that £85,000 will seem like peanuts.

Among the teammates of Moore's mount are leading fancies Broome and Anthony Van Dyck, but the headlines will be larger if the glory goes to Circus Maximus given O'Brien has hired the services of racing's most famous face, Frankie Dettori, twice a Derby hero but taking his first Derby ride for Ballydoyle.

Bangkok seeks to triumph in the colours of King Power RacingCredit: Edward Whitaker

If Dettori wins it will be a big story. An even bigger story would be victory for Bangkok, who represents King Power Racing, the increasingly powerful operation set up just two years ago by Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha, the Thai billionaire who funded Leicester City's 5,000-1 Premier League triumph.

Last October he was killed in a helicopter crash just outside the club's ground. Srivaddhanaprabha's son Aiyawatt will be at Epsom hoping to see a success that would be bittersweet and emotional.

Bangkok will be a popular choice, as will Madhmoon, who gives 86-year-old trainer Kevin Prendergast his seventh Derby runner, 46 years after his first.

For other punters the selection will be Line Of Duty, possibly because he represents Godolphin, as did Masar 12 months ago, but possibly because he shares the same name as the BBC drama that this year attracted over 13 million viewers to a single episode.

The Derby may not attract quite such a mammoth television audience. It might well, however, be equally thrilling.

Lester can't decide between two

The sight of Lester Piggott loitering outside the weighing room might rightly worry any of the 13 jockeys riding in the Investec Derby. The good news for them is the Epsom maestro is not about to poach their ride – particularly given this Lester will be made entirely of bronze.

Prior to Saturday's opening race the Queen will unveil a life-sized Willie Newton statue of the man who won the Derby a record nine times from 1954 to 1983.

"It's wonderful, really," Piggott told the Racing Post. "It will be a big occasion for me. I've seen the statue and I think it's very good. Having the Queen unveil it is perfect."

There was a perfect outcome to the Oaks 62 years ago, with Piggott winning for the Queen aboard Carrozza.

"I was a bit younger then," said Piggott, with a laugh. "It was a very close finish, I remember that. I think she won by a short head – it was a long time ago, though!"

Piggott was right about the winning distance but he is not confident about being right in his assessment of this year's Derby, which he has narrowed down to two Aidan O'Brien-trained contenders.

"It's a bit of a toss-up for me and not as straightforward as in some previous years," he said. "The race looks a puzzle. There are a lot of horses in there who you could say have a little chance.

"I wouldn't worry about Sir Dragonet's lack of experience. If they're good enough they can do it. If you look at the Chester race on face value, he could be anything. I would be torn between him and Broome. I like him because he has done it twice in the trials."

Three-time Derby winner Mick Kinane fancies a horse who has already defeated Broome.

"I like to see a horse with pace," said Kinane. "A slow horse struggles in the Derby as you need to get to the first corner quickly in order to get a nice position. We know Madhmoon has pace and I thought his run in the 2,000 Guineas was very good. He beat Broome really well at Leopardstown last year but is now a much bigger price.

"You might question his pedigree but he finished fourth at Newmarket and the old adage was 'fourth in the Guineas, first in the Derby'."

Nobody finished first in the Derby more often than Piggott.

"I'm looking forward to it," said the great man, adding: "The weather should be good as well."

With the temperature set to reach 26C, we should have perfect weather for a Derby day – and perfect weather to honour a Derby legend.

Beggy is back on another outsider

Padraig Beggy does not win much because he does not ride much. He has also ridden only twice in the Derby, but he knows how to win it.

Beggy was making his Derby debut as a 31-year-old when delivering Wings Of Eagles with a devastating late challenge that secured a shock 40-1 triumph for Aidan O'Brien and Coolmore in 2017. He now partners another Ballydoyle outsider in Sovereign.

Padraig Beggy wins the 2017 Derby on Wings Of EaglesCredit: Alan Crowhurst / Getty Images

Since his career-defining success Beggy has partnered only eight winners, all of them in Ireland. This year, however, he has not ridden a winner anywhere, although he has contested only five races.

That sets him apart from his rival jockeys. Something else sets him apart from all but Frankie Dettori and Ryan Moore. That illustrious duo and Beggy are the only riders in the 2019 Derby who can claim to have won the world's most famous Flat race.

Galileo is all over this Derby

Galileo is the granddaddy of modern stallions. He is also granddaddy, daddy or great-granddaddy of 12 of the 13 Investec Derby runners.

The 2001 Derby winner has already sired three Derby winners – New Approach, Ruler Of The World and Australia – and this year has six of his own boys in the field.

Five other runners are by sons of Galileo, while one is a grandson of the Coolmore colossus. The only Derby runner not to have Galileo directly in his pedigree is Sir Dragonet but the favourite does have Urban Sea – Galileo's mother – as his third dam.

A family celebration is assured.

Derby riders avoid the Dash

There are 13 runners in the Investec Derby and 20 runners in the Investec Dash that precedes the premier Classic. One guarantee is no jockey will complete the Dash-Derby double.

The prospect of hurtling down Epsom's hill on fast ground in a 20-runner field is not for the faint-hearted and, although there is nothing faint about the hearts of the Derby riders, their collective absence from the feature sprint is almost certainly not a coincidence.

The Investec Dash is always a frenetic affairCredit: Mark Cranham

"I'd say there's a reason why the Derby riders aren't in the Dash," said former weighing-room ace Fran Berry.

"I'm not saying the Dash is a dangerous race, because it isn't, but it can be rough and there would be more chance of something happening in it than other races given the speed and the nature of the track with its two road crossings. I would always be surprised to see any jockey with a live Derby chance riding in the Dash."

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