Australia heads O'Brien sextet Hot favourite Australia is one of six colts engaged for the Investec Derby by trainer Aidan O'Brien. Australia cemented his place at the top of the betting for the Epsom Classic by finishing third in the 2000 Guineas, while O'Brien, who is seeking his third consecutive Derby triumph, could also be represented by Orchestra, Kingfisher, Geoffrey Chaucer, Adelaide and Gypsy King. Another trial winner who could line up is the Dermot Weld-trained Fascinating Rock, winner of the Ballysax and Derrinstown, who features among 27 confirmations for the contest on June 7. Snow Sky has been given the go-ahead to run in the race. Sir Michael Stoute's colt, who was also under consideration for the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, was a most impressive winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial on May 10 and is around the 16-1 mark for Epsom glory. Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager for owner Khalid Abdullah, said: "We have given it good consideration and, all things considered, Prince Khalid was happy to go to Epsom with Snow Sky." John Gosden is responsible for second-favourite Western Hymn, who is unbeaten in three starts, including when successful in the Classic Trial at Sandown. William Haggas is the only trainer with a 100 per cent record in the Investec Derby, having scored with Shaamit back in 1996, and has left in Our Channel, while the second and third from York's Dante Stakes, Arod and True Story, also go forward. Kingston Hill and Toast Of New York remain in the mix, with French interests this year sharpened by the presence of Karakontie and Norse Prize. Western Hymn pleased Gosden when coming through a strong gallop before racing at Lingfield. The High Chaparral colt, who beat Snow Sky in April, was s ettled several lengths behind his work companion by William Buick, with the pair going a good gallop. Asked to close on rounding the home turn, Western Hymn stretched out well to the line, if hanging slightly to his left. Gosden told At The Races: "They went a mile in 1.37.1/1.37.2 so they didn't hang around. They went off sensible but finished very strongly and he did his usual playboy act, looking for the odd low flying seagull, but I was happy with him. "We came here for the experience, as it's left-handed, but he's always done that (hang) when he hits the front, in all his races. "It was pretty testing ground at Sandown, I nearly didn't run him, he'd never been touched with the stick before so he was reacting to that. He needs more experience and we'll probably take him to Epsom and have a spin there a week tomorrow (Breakfast with the Stars). "Benny The Dip (Gosden's Derby winner) had a bit more experience at two having won a Racing Post Trophy so this horse has a bit of catching up to do on experience. "This horse plays up a bit at home, that's just him. He's fit enough, they clocked a very good time there so I'm happy with that. "He'll go to Epsom and have a look at the track and keep on learning."
