Delacroix leads the way as 20 remain in Derby contention

Ante-post favourite Delacroix headlines 20 confirmations for Saturday’s Betfred Derby at Epsom.

Trained by Aidan O’Brien, Delacroix propelled himself to the head of the Classic betting with conclusive victories in two spring Derby trials, adding to his narrow defeat in last year’s Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

He is one of four contenders from Ballydoyle, with The Lion In Winter another key name despite his odds-on defeat in the Dante, while Lambourn and Puppet Master won trials at Chester and Lingfield respectively.

The Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court bids to another Classic to his CV, with the 2000 Guineas winner one of two for Godolphin along with the Newmarket fourth Tornado Alert for Saeed bin Suroor.

Dante winner Pride Of Arras is one of two possibles for Ralph Beckett who could also run Stanhope Gardens while John and Thady Gosden have confirmed both York second Damysus and the Juddmonte-owned fifth Nightwalker.

Juddmonte have added a second string to their bow though, as French raider New Ground has been supplemented at a cost of £75,000 after finishing third in each of his two starts for trainer Henri-Francois Devin this season.

The son of New Bay was beaten just a length by French Derby runner-up Cualificar in April and Juddmonte’s European racing manager Barry Mahon is confident he will thrive for stepping up in trip.

He said: “His form is good and we think he is crying out for a mile and a half.

“We could have taken him to Chantilly, but decided to wait to go to Epsom. He’s in great form.”

The Francis Graffard-trained Midak has also been added to the race and he will carry the colours of the Aga Khan Studs, with the race run in honour of the Aga Khan IV, who died in February.

Charlie Johnston could be double-handed via Lazy Griff and Green Storm, with Al Wasl Storm, Nightime Dancer, Rogue Impact, Sea Scout, Tennessee Stud and Tuscan Hills round out the potential field.