Epsom Tips: Investec Derby runners and riders - Your pinstickers' guide to today's Group 1 Classic

RUSSIAN EMPEROR can leave his Derby rivals in a spin.

Jockey Seamie Heffernan famously treated himself to a new washing machine after winning last year’s Blue Riband. Maybe he can splash out on a tumble dryer after riding this son of Galileo to victory.

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The colt got better with every yard when taking the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot last time and will relish this trip.

Frankie Dettori has high hopes for English King despite a shocking draw in stall one. He was brilliant when winning the Lingfield Derby Trial and won’t be far away.

Kameko won the 2,000 Guineas in great style last month and will be hard to beat if seeing out this distance. He wandered about a bit at Newmarket which could be an issue on Epsom’s famous camber.

Vatican City was luckless in the Irish Guineas and will be a big danger if he’s got enough petrol for the extra half-mile.

AMHRAN NA BHFIANN 1

AM dram. Hasn’t shown a lot in his two runs with a quiet Curragh debut and a modest fourth at Leopardstown on comeback. Should appreciate this longer trip and the O’Brien horses usually improve for a run but he has a massive gap to bridge.

EMISSARY 2

EMISS out. Won his debut on the all-weather and went down in a tightfinish for a Goodwood Listed race last month. Was still very green there and should improve for the experience. Needs a lot more to figure in a Derby though.

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ENGLISH KING 4

KING eyes crown. Impressive winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial which gave us last year’s Blue Riband hero Anthony Van Dyck. Handled the undulating track and quickened right away from his rivals in fine style. Frankie has enough nous to overcome a tricky stall one draw and he’s a massive contender.

GOLD MAZE 2

GOLD tarnished. Yet to win in four runs and well off the pace in the Irish Derby last weekend. Trainer Jessica Harrington is always respected but he needs a leap forward.

HIGHLAND CHIEF 3

HAIL the Chief. Came from a mile back to win a hot handicap at Royal Ascot over 1m2f last time. This longer trip should be ideal and he shapes like there’s a lot more to come. One of the better outsiders.

KAMEKO 4

KAM on. Won the Group 1 Futurity at Newcastle as a juvenile and stepped up with a battling 2,000 Guineas victory at Newmarket last time. He travelled like a colt who will see out this distance and sets the standard on form. There could be even more to come and he’ll be right there.

KHALIFA SAT 2

SIT out Sat. Just outbattled Emissary to win a Goodwood Listed race on comeback so should handle this tricky track. Looks certain to stay and has more to offer but taking a major hike in grade.

MAX VEGA 2

MAX out. Group 3 winner last season but was well short of that form when held at Kempton on comeback. Will be fitter for that run and shapes like a stayer but needs much more.

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MOGUL 3

GUL must fly. Was behind Kameko when they clashed last season and looked rusty when beaten by Pyledriver at Royal Ascot. Ryan Moore’s choice of the Ballydoyle batallion but he needs to step up on his comeback to figure.

MOHICAN HEIGHTS 3

HEIGHTS must grow. Finished ahead of Mogul at Royal Ascot last time despite little luck in running. Not won beyond a mile yet but saw out the 1m4f trip well at the Queen’s track. Has more to come but looks a little short of this level.

MYTHICAL 1

MYTH a miss. Has come up short three times at Group level including when going lame at The Curragh last time. Was well backed that day so is clearly showing more at home but needs a big step forward.

PYLEDRIVER 3

PYLE high. Shock winner of the King Edward VII at Royal Ascot ahead of Mogul and Mohican Heights. He scored fair and square in pulling right away from his rivals. This trip is ideal and he has an each-way shout.

RUSSIAN EMPEROR 5

EMPEROR rules. Gutsy winner of Hampton Court at Royal Ascot despite the 1m2f trip looking on the short side. He looks the type to improve for this step up in distance and clocked a good time with that victory. Has more to come under last year’s winner Seamie Heffernan.

SERPENTINE 3

TINE time. Won a Curragh maiden by nine lengths last time and will relish this trip on breeding. This is obviously a much hotter contest but he looks progressive and is a wild card.

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VATICAN CITY 4

CITY slicker. Slightly unlucky second in the Irish 2,000 Guineas last time over a mile when blocked at a crucial stage. Some question marks over his stamina but he wasn’t stopping in that Classic and jockey Padraig Beggy has a happy knack of winning these big races.

WORTHILY 2

WORTH a go. Won his maiden well at Newbury last time and should improve for this longer distance but this is a massive hike in class and his big price looks about right.

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