Royal Ascot winner Santiago features in O'Brien's ten-strong Irish Derby team

Aidan O’Brien is preparing for a soft-ground Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby on Saturday evening and has left a whopping ten horses in the Curragh showpiece, which was whittled down to 19 at the latest forfeit stage on Tuesday.

No trainer has a better record in the Classic than O'Brien, chasing his 14th success in the race this weekend, and the Ballydoyle maestro's team appears to be headed by runaway Royal Ascot winner Santiago, a general 5-2 favourite.

While the Curragh is currently described as good, rain is forecast later in the week and O'Brien is expecting the Irish Derby to be run with ease in the ground at the very least.

Speaking about his contenders for the race, O'Brien said: "Santiago obviously hasn't done much since Ascot but he won the Queen's Vase well and we're happy with him. Arthur's Kingdom ran a good race in the King Edward VII Stakes and he's also come out of his race well.

"Both Santiago and Arthur's Kingdom have form on soft ground and we don't know what way the forecast is going to go over the next few days. It looks as though the worst of the rain is going to hit on Friday, so we'll just have to wait and see, but it looks as though it's going to be on the easy side anyway. We declare on Thursday so we'll know more then."

Arthur's Kingdom finishes second to Pyledriver in the King Edward VII StakesCredit: Pool

It is not uncommon for O'Brien to run a multitude of horses in the Irish Derby, with last year's winner Sovereign one of five Ballydoyle-trained runners in a field of eight.

The market may suggest Santiago and Arthur’s Kingdom are best placed to deliver a 14th Irish Derby for O’Brien, but riding arrangements will not be discussed until declarations are made on Thursday, according to the trainer.

Speaking about the rest of his challenge, O’Brien said: "Iberia is in there as well, but he probably wouldn't want soft ground, while Memorabilis won his maiden at Fairyhouse last week and it looks like he stays well."

He added: "Mythical has form on slow ground, while Tiger Moth, Dawn Patrol, Order Of Australia and Amhran Na Bhfiann were all there together in a maiden at Leopardstown.

"Serpentine is in there as well. They are all there and everything we've left in the race are possibles."

O'Brien may face his stiffest opposition from son Joseph, who has left the unbeaten Crossfirehurricane and recent maiden winner Galileo Chrome in the race.

In something of a bolt from the blue, the young maestro trainer also supplemented New York Girl, who would be bidding to become the first filly to win the race since Balanchine in 1994.

Place a bet of £1 or more on any UK or Irish race on racingpost.com to watch it live. Click the 'Watch Live' icon at the top of the racecard when it's due to start to watch the full race