There were just six horses taken out at the Epsom Derby confirmation stage on Monday with Aidan O’Brien’s Irish 2000 Guineas winner Paddington the most noticeable absentee.
Aidan O'Brien is responsible for four of the sixteen at this stage with Auguste Rodin, who still remains very much to the fore of the market, looking to bounce back from his incredibly disappointing display in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket earlier this month. All eyes will be on the highly regarded son of Deep Impact as he bids to get back on track, but he could be joined by stablemate San Antonio, who won the Dee Stakes at Chester oh his last start, alongside Adelaide River and Covent Garden.
Military Order will be attempting to emulate his full-brother Adayar's 2021 Epsom Derby success. The impressive Lingfield Derby Trial winner is the sole entry for trainer Charlie Appleby.
Much of the talk surrounding Passenger's possibilities of being supplemented has been answered, as the connections of Sir Michael Stoute's luckless Dante Stakes third fetched £85,000 to ensure he takes his place on Saturday.
Frankie Dettori will be hoping for Epsom Classic glory in what looks to be his final Derby ride with emphatic Chester Vase scorer Arrest standing his ground for the Clarehaven team.
Leopardstown Derby Trial winner Sprewell featured amongst the sixteen entries while Andrew Balding's Dante winner, The Foxes, who beat White Birch both stand their ground.
Lingfield Derby Trial runner-up Waipiro looks set to lock horns with Military Order once more and Charlie Johnston may well saddle two in this year's Derby courtesy of 2000 Guineas fifth Dubai Mile and Middleham Park's Dear My Friend.
Donnacha O'Brien's Alder, the unbeaten Artistic Star, and King Of Steel complete the sixteen-strong field.
Epsom Derby Confirmation Stage
Adelaide River - Aidan O'Brien
Alder - Donnacha O'Brien
Arrest - John and Thady Gosden
Artistic Star - Ralph Beckett
Auguste Rodin - Aidan O'Brien
Covent Garden - Aidan O'Brien
Dear My Friend - Charlie Johnston
Dubai Mile - Charlie Johnston
King Of Steel - Roger Varian
Military Order - Charlie Appleby
Passenger - Sir Michael Stoute
San Antonio - Aidan O'Brien
Sprewell - Jessica Harrington
The Foxes - Andrew Balding
Waipiro - Ed Walker
White Birch - John Murphy
