Derby 2026: Preview, trends, verdict and a 16/1 outsider to follow at Epsom

Masar wins the Derby under William Buick

The fourth British Classic of the season takes place at Epsom on Saturday and it’s probably the most famous Flat race in Europe. The Derby has a £2,000,000 prize fund this year and a field of 14 has been declared. Here we preview the big race, look at some of the key trends and pick out a couple tips to follow. Take a look at our free tips page for daily content across British and Irish racing.

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Preview

We’ve got a fairly open race ahead of us this year and there’s no odds-on certainty at the head of the market. There will be no Charlie Appleby or Godolphin representative but most of the big guns are represented, with Aidan O’Brien sending four runners over.

Benvenuto Cellini is the market leader at the time of writing and it’s easy to see why. He bolted up in the Chester Vase when last seen and that has been a decent trial in recent years. Pierre Bonnard was the ante-post favourite throughout the winter but he has a bit to prove on his form this season.

Action and Christmas Day are O’Brien’s other two runners and both have reasonable outside chances. John & Thady Gosden run Item, who is unbeaten in three starts so far, and he got the better of Action in the Dante at York on his reappearance.

James J Braddock is interesting for Joseph O’Brien, whilst there should be more to come from Lingfield Derby trial winner Maltese Cross. Bay Of Brilliance represents Ralph Beckett and Charlie Johnston’s Ancient Egypt is clearly improving.

Trends

Aidan O’Brien has won six of the last 10 renewals of the Derby and has landed the spoils in each of the last three renewals. Obviously his four runners are likely to be in content with that in mind. Overall form suggests that Benvenuto Cellini is the most likely winner from his representatives.

Don’t be put off O’Brien’s other runners just because Ryan Moore isn’t riding, as he has only been on board two of those six winners. Christophe Soumillon rides Pierre Bonnard, Wayne Lordan rides Action and Christmas Day will be steered by Ronan Whelan.

The 2000 Guineas, Dante Stakes, Chester Vase and Lingfield Derby Trial are the best trial races, which bodes well for Benvenuto Cellini, Item and Maltese Cross.

Verdict

Benvenuto Cellini gets the nod and he’s well set to run a huge race. Connections have always considered him to be a potential Derby horse and his impressive Chester Vase success puts him bang in the mix here.

Benvenuto Cellini

Analysis

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Outsider to follow

Ancient Egypt (16/1, bet365) is going the right way and the well bred colt set connections back 1,100,000 guineas at the sales as a yearling. He did struggle in the Royal Lodge last year but bounced right back when winning a Listed contest at Newmarket last month. There’s more to come from him.