Stuart Riley assesses the Derby and Oaks as entries for both races are revealed

With Military March’s injury already known and the rest of the main contenders unsurprisingly entered, perhaps the biggest shock of the Derby entries was Aidan O’Brien throwing in Serpentine.

This is a horse who two days ago was heading to the Curragh having finished tenth and fifth on his two starts. In years gone by he would have done nothing like enough to be anywhere near the Derby – given the early acceptors stages.

Maybe his nine-length success on Saturday would have been enough to persuade sporting connections to supplement him in the past, but this year he is guaranteed a place in the field – as are the likes of Pyledriver and Worthily – who would probably not have been entered in the first place, or at the very least persisted with given the costs involved.

The Derby looks a better, more open race for being a meritocracy. For all that it still looks a race that revolves around the question of whether 2,000 Guineas winner Kameko will stay the extra half-mile. If he does, very few of these have shown the level of form to suggest they can live with him.

Frankly Darling cruises home in the Ribblesdale in front of an empty Ascot grandstandCredit: Edward Whitaker

The Oaks has a more compelling look to it.

Aidan O’Brien’s two 1,000 Guineas winners Love and Peaceful have the same question to answer as Kameko, albeit there would be slightly more encouragement on the breeding page, while Frankly Darling has proven form at the distance having landed the Ribblesdale at Royal Ascot.

That makes Frankly Darling the yardstick, but both Love and Peaceful are more than capable of beating her should the step up suit. As daughters of Galileo the question almost becomes which one will come on the most for the extra distance and it is that which makes it a harder race to solve at the top end of the market – but a less complex one.

If Kameko doesn't perform any number will fancy their chances in the Derby, it is hard to see all of the big three in the Oaks underperforming which means any of the less exposed types will have to show a great deal of improvement to get involved.

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