All eyes on Epsom Derby: 20 entrants for historic race The latest entry stage for Saturday's Epsom Derby has left a field of 20 still standing for the world's oldest Classic, with two tantalising French aces added to the pack. French raiders Midak and New Ground joined the likes of Aidan O'Brien's star colts Delacroix and The Lion In Winter alongside Newmarket's 2000 Guineas winner Ruling Court in the mix for Derby glory at Epsom. Dante winner Pride Of Arras remains in the picture for the £1.5million race, the jewel in Britain's Flat racing season. Novibet Epsom Derby betting offer If you already have a Novibet account, check out more of the best betting sites and online casinos Aga Khan colours in the picture This year's Derby will be run in honour of the late Aga Khan, a five-time Derby-winning owner who died in February, and the unbeaten Midak was added to the field at a cost of £75,000 to run in the Aga Khan Stud silks for trainer Francis Graffard. He will bid to become the first French winner of the race since Pour Moi in 2011. After wins at Lyon and Chantilly in the early spring, Midak most recently won the Group 3 Greffulhe Stakes at Saint-Cloud under Mikael Barzalona in May. He was supplemented on Monday alongside Juddmonte's New Ground, who was third in the Listed Prix de Suresnes when last seen, for trainer Henri-Francois Devin. Both French handlers will be saddling their maiden runners in the Epsom showpiece. O'Brien's big guns stand their ground The Derby's most successful trainer, Aidan O'Brien, has won the last two renewals with Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy and the Ballydoyle supremo counts Delacroix, Lambourn, Puppet Master and The Lion In Winter as his possible contenders this time around as he goes for an 11th win. Delcroix has won key trials at Leopardstown this spring, beating Lambourn and Puppet Master in the first of them before that pair went on to enjoy Derby trial wins at Chester and Lingfield respectively. Delacroix, meanwhile, won last month's Derby Trial back at the Foxrock venue and is the top-rated contender from the O'Brien quartet. The Lion In Winter, unbeaten at two, was well held in the Dante at York on his seasonal return and will attempt to match Auguste Rodin and City Of Troy by rebounding to win this race second time out. Guineas winner looks to hold Court Charlie Appleby and William Buick won both Guineas races at Newmarket last month with Ruling Court and Desert Flower and both are on track to attempt follow-ups in the Derby and Oaks at Epsom. Ruling Court suffered his only setback when third to The Lion In Winter in the Acomb at York last summer on second start. He was a winner in Dubai this spring before adding the Guineas at Newmarket, form already advertised as runner-up Field Of Gold cruised to Irish 2000 Guineas glory at the Curragh. The Godolphin colours will also be carried by Saeed bin Suroor's Tornado Alert. Beckett's two-handed challenge Pride Of Arras won the Dante at York for Ralph Beckett and the Kimpton handler can have high hopes he will be a major player at Epsom when his unbeaten record goes on the line. The trainer also has a lively outsider in Stanhope Gardens, who got within a neck of Delcroix in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket last season and won well at Salisbury on his return. John & Thady Gosden are set to rely on Damysus and Nightwalker, while Charlie Johnston has Green Storm and Lazy Griff in the mix and Richard Hannon looks to Nightime Dancer. Up and comer James Owen could saddle Rogue Impact, while Owen Burrows' Al Wasl Storm, Simon & Ed Crisford's Sea Scout and Tuscan Hills for Raphael Freire complete the British-based options. Tennessee Stud for Joseph O'Brien completes the potential list of Epsom Derby hopefuls.
