Irish-trained Derby contenders from last week's trials

There were lots of Classic trials last week in Britain and Ireland with the Epsom Derby now starting to loom large on the horizon and one man dominated the proceedings.

Aidan O'Brien mopped up prizes at Chester, Lingfield and Leopardstown as his crop of three-year-old colts started to lay down a marker.

Here's a look at some of the Irish-trained Derby contenders for Epsom off the back of last week's trials.

Epsom Derby Betting Offer

Puppet Master & Stay True

The Lingfield Derby Trial on Saturday brought with it a one-two for Ballydoyle as O'Brien orchestrated Puppet Master's defeat of Stay True.

The latter was unbeaten going to Lingfield but Ryan Moore picked Puppet Master on account of experience in the locker.

Both colts showed some signs of awkwardness at times but it was Puppet Master that was ultimately controlling the narrative late on as he gained a slender success.

"They are two lovely horses that hit the line hard so they get the trip well. They will have learnt a lot from the race and I’m delighted with them both," said Coolmore's Paul Smith afterwards.

"Puppet Master relaxed well. He is quite an uncomplicated horse and Ryan was very happy with him."

Stay True could well make the Derby cut as well, as Smith added: "He is still a big baby and that was only his second run as he didn’t run as a two-year-old. He will come on a lot for it. He hit the line very well and he will get a trip nicely so all routes point for a Derby for him as well."

Delacroix

At Leopardstown on Sunday the Derby Trial was all about Delacroix as the Ballydoyle machine churned out another winner.

The Dubawi colt had figures of 21212 as a two-year-old and won what is proving a hot renewal of the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown on his comeback.

He was back at Leopardstown on Sunday, with Wayne Lordan taking over in the saddle for the first time. If all goes to plan for The Lion In Winter in the Dante at York this week, it is anticipated Ryan Moore will partner him come Epsom, so Lordan was having a 'getting to know you' day with Delacroix.

The hot favourite unseated Lordan on the way to the start but, once the race was underway, it was a straightforward performance.

"He has a cruising speed and he can quicken, so I was comfortable and I hit the line good," said the winning rider. "He has some class so you can think about it (Derby) for him. We’ve loads of horses who can fit so they can all find their own slots."

Lambourn & Mount Kilimanjaro

It was an impressive Chester May Festival for O'Brien, while Moore was successful on all four rides for Team Ballydoyle on the Roodee.

They included Chester Vase winner Lambourn, the Australia colt giving a big boost to the Ballysax Stakes form Leopardstown, where he had been second to Delacroix, as he powered home to win the Chester race from Lazy Griff and the hitherto uneaten Convergent.

Lambourn and Moore were never stronger than at the line and won in good style despite a wider trip than ideal.

Completing a stellar few days at Chester was Mount Kilimanjaro, who rallied strongly despite hanging to his left as he held off High Stock for Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy in the Dee Stakes.

Lambourn (25/1) and Mount Kilimanjaro (33/1) are some way down the Ballydoyle pecking order for Epsom next month, such is the sheer strength and depth of talent at O'Brien's disposal.