Irish Derby horse-by-horse guide to the runners

The son of Pour Moi was a shock 40/1 winner of the premier Classic four weeks ago, providing trainer Aidan O'Brien with a sixth victory in the race.

The Ballydoyle maestro has saddled a record 11 previous winners of the Irish Derby and Wings Of Eagles is, along with Capri, Douglas Macarthur, Taj Mahal and The Anvil, one of five Ballydoyle representatives in this year's renewal.

British hopes rest upon the shoulders of the John Gosden-trained Cracksman, who was just a length behind Wings Of Eagles when third at Epsom. Gosden, who broke his Irish Derby duck with Jack Hobbs in 2015, was quick to snap up the services of jockey Pat Smullen to replace the sidelined Frankie Dettori.

The Jim Bolger-trained Dubai Sand and Grandee from Jessica Harrington's stable make up the home team. The field is completed by Andre Fabre's French Derby runner-up Waldgeist.

Check out our horse-by-horse guide to the final field...

CAPRI (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 13-436 

Market springer on the day of the Derby and ran fairly well for sixth having been prominent. Money increased with rainfall and a similar scenario could unfold here, but looks short of top-class and without the required turn of foot to reverse form with those ahead of him at Epsom. Also has work to do with Waldgeist on Group One runs as a juvenile and may now be asked to do some donkey work for Wings Of Eagles, who clearly benefited from an end-to-end gallop in winning.

CRACKSMAN (John Gosden)
Form: 1-13 

Allayed stamina fears with fine third in the Investec Derby, beaten a length having been keen enough throughout the first quarter-mile. Sent off favourite that day and fared much the best of those towards the front end in a strongly-run race. Form received a nice boost when fifth-placed Benbatl won at Royal Ascot, while earlier defeat of Permian also looks much better now than it did at the time. Should know more on fourth start and can reverse form with Wings Of Eagles.

DOUGLAS MACARTHUR (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 54-217 

Did well to hang on for seventh at Epsom having been sent for home a long way out under an extremely aggressive ride. Previous form in trials reads well and wasn't far behind Waldgeist in Saint-Cloud race last year. Seemingly suited by good ground and could run a big race under more restraint.

DUBAI SAND (Jim Bolger)
Form: 621-55

Not up to scratch in Ballysax or Derrinstown in two starts this term, finishing behind a few of these rivals in the process and although a Listed winner last term, there's not enough in his two-year-old form to think he can suddenly find the required improvement to make his mark at this level. Hopes pinned on step up in distance sparking something but that's not guaranteed either on pedigree grounds.

GRANDEE (Jessica Harrington)
Form: 31-621 

Trainer's runners can't be ignored out of hand and a convincing Listed win at Leopardstown earlier in the month just about entitles him to take his place in this event, but no getting away from the fact he's more exposed than some and his only previous try at pattern level (Group Three) yielded a well-held sixth in the Ballysax. Could be in for a tough time against proven Classic colts here.

TAJ MAHAL (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 5-2244 

Won just one of eight starts as a juvenile but has taken that busy campaign quite well and looks to have improved this term, albeit failing to add another victory after four more goes. Just a length and a half behind Waldgeist in French Derby over extended 10 furlongs before solid front-running fourth to Benbatl at Royal Ascot last week and could step up again on belated first attempt at the Derby trip, although quick turnaround an obvious negative if declared.

THE ANVIL (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 30-130 

Last but one in the Derby having been sent there to ensure an end-to-end gallop. Behind Venice Beach and Wings Of Eagles at Chester prior to that and has been exposed several times as short of the required class. Probable front-runner.

WALDGEIST (Andre Fabre)
Form: 131-22 

Well-touted at big prices for Epsom but connections instead opted for the Prix du Jockey Club a day later. Decision so nearly paid off as he was beaten a short head by a top-class horse in Brametot, which looks form on a par with any of these. Previous defeat on comeback can be excused and this stoutly-bred sort should benefit for a step up to 1m4f. Master trainer had a winner and an unfortunate third from just two runners at Royal Ascot and if his horse lines up here, the hint should be taken with conditions expected to suit.

WINGS OF EAGLES (Aidan O'Brien)
Form: 149-21 

Surprise winner of the Derby, flying home to deny better-fancied, less-experienced stablemate. Had previously stayed on for second, looking a little one-paced, in Chester trial and if this were to develop into a test of speed - unlikely given powerhouse connections - that would be against him. Clearly better than he showed when a long way behind Waldgeist at Saint-Cloud late last year but a sense that the Derby fell in his lap somewhat and might be worth opposing despite  Aidan O'Brien having won eight of the last 11 renewals and Derby winners tending to be hard to beat when attempting this double.

CONCLUSION: Wings Of Eagles is the obvious starting point following his Epsom heroics and Aidan O'Brien's record of doubling up here with Derby winners is exceptional.

However, the incredibly strong fractions set that day turned this year's renewal into a very stern test of stamina and there's no question the winner benefited. Douglas Macarthur helped force the pace at Epsom and ran a fantastic race in the circumstances.

Waldgeist is a fascinating runner with quality French Classic form but Cracksman, who beat Permian earlier in the season, is open to stacks more improvement following his fine third in the Derby on just the third run of his life and John Gosden's charge looks the rock-solid option in quite an open year.

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