Britain's premier Classic takes place on Saturday afternoon as Epsom gears up for Derby day.
Can Frankie Dettori sign off his Classic career on the famous Surrey Downs with one final hurrah on Arrest for John & Thady Gosden? Or will Auguste Rodin claim another Derby success for master trainer Aidan O'Brien?
Enda McElhinney has a selection and next best for the big race alongside some other fancies on day two at Epsom.
1.30 – The Derby
It's an earlier start than usual for The Derby this year as the big race avoids a clash with the FA Cup final at Wembley.
And a certain Frankie Dettori will be hoping he can sign off with a 'Roy of the Rovers' moment in his 28th and final ride in the most sought-after Classic of them all.
It famously took Dettori until his 15th attempt to win the Derby, when he guided Authorized to an authoritative triumph in 2007 for trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam.
Eight years later Golden Horn was a decisive winner in Dettori's hands for John Gosden and now, on his final attempt, he tries to match that eight-year symmetry for a second time on ARREST for the Clarehaven supremo and his son Thady.
The Frankel colt romped to success in last month's Chester Vase and his juvenile form suggests he'll be just as effective on a faster surface.
He saw out the 1m4f trip strongly at Chester and while Dettori was seemingly underwhelmed with a recent workout around Epson, the experience of coming around Tattenham Corner could prove invaluable in the heat of battle.
Dettori is racing's ultimate showman and the pieces are falling into place for him to complete a Derby hat-trick and steal the limelight once more.
Auguste Rodin is the market leader for Aidan O'Brien, who is chasing a ninth Derby success, but his 2000 Guineas effort was underwhelming to say the least and it would be hard to suggest that the inadequate mile trip was the sole reason for his poor run.
He's in the hands of a genius, of course, but it will require a significant return to form for the son of Deep Impact to win a race of this calibre and it must be noted that Ryan Moore hasn't partnered any of the last four Ballydoyle Derby winners. Big runs from his stablemates Adelaide River (no match for Arrest at Chester) or San Antonio aren't discounted.
Dubai Mile was fifth in the Guineas at Newmarket and the Charlie Johnston team are sweet on his chance, while Leopardstown and Lingfield Trial winners Sprewell and Military Order are players for Jessica Harrington and Charlie Appleby – the latter seeking his third Derby win in six years.
The Dante form will be tested as The Foxes bids to back up his win at York for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy, while Passenger looked unlucky in third in that race and is widely expected to improve for Sir Michael Stoute and Richard Kingscote – last year's winning rider is seeking to become the first back-to-back scorer since Kieren Fallon in 2003 and 2004.
The pair were split on the Knavesmire by White Birch. That was an excellent effort given he was slowly away and forced to come from the rear in relative isolation in the home straight.
There could be more to come from John Murphy's colt at this longer trip and Ireland's champion jockey Colin Keane will be in the saddle. At double-figure odds, White Birch is an interesting outsider as he bids to become the first grey winner of the Derby in 77 years.
2.10 Princess Elizabeth Stakes
After the excitement of The Derby comes the Group 3 Princess Elizabeth Stakes and it looks a great chance for PROSPEROUS VOYAGE to oblige for Dettori and Ralph Beckett.
Dettoir was powerless to stop this filly last summer when she condemned Inspiral and the Italian to a shock defeat in the Falmouth Stakes at Newmarket. That Group 1-winning form sets a good standard and she should be much better suited by conditions at Epsom after meeting soft ground on her comeback at Newmarket four weeks ago.
Similar sentiments apply to Potapova, who made a disappointing comeback at Goodwood on soft ground. Sir Michael Stoute's charge was found to have an irregular heartbeat after that race and she will hope to take some revenge on Roman Mist.
SELCTION: PROSPEROUS VOYAGE @ 7/4
3.55 Lester Piggott Handicap
A bunch of promising three-year-olds line up in this mile-and-a-quarter contest, with Newmarket winner Fox Journey and Chester scorer Perfect Play a pair to consider for top yards. However, MAASAI MARA is 2-3 this season and likely capable of better for the Gosden team.
He got to the front plenty soon at Ascot three weeks ago and wandered around a bit once there, ensuring it was a fine effort to hold on at the line. He's 4lb higher in the handicap but Oisin Murphy will be in the saddle and he looks a horse who could continue to improve.
