The Blue Riband looks to be dominated by Godolphin, Ballydoyle and Michael Bell. It is uncertain who Kieran Fallon will be riding but who he pics will be a good indicator of who is fancied by Ballydoyle.

ALMIGHTY: One of four sons of Sadler's Wells in the race. He was second in the Chester Vase at his last start to Hattan. Doesn't look to be the first string for Ballydoyle but he does look to have further improvement in him. He is a half brother to Arc winner, Sagamix. He can run in to the money.

DUBAWI: A disappointing favourite in the English 2000 Guineas, he bounced back to form in the Irish equivalent. He was most impressive when thrashing English 2000 Guineas fourth, Oratorio, by three lengths. His sire, Dubai Millennium, was thought to have lacked the stamina when he was unplaced in this race in 1999. Dubawi's dam won the Italian Oaks and is a daughter of stamina influence Deploy. Winner of the National Stakes last year, Dubawi is the class horse in the race but is an uncertain stayer.

FIRST ROW: A late finishing third behind Hattan and Almighty in the Chester Vase saw him back his place here. It is hard to know what to make of the form as the winner, Hattan, was a maiden previously and Almighty had been well beaten at his last start. Prior to his Chester Vase, he won his maiden by nine lengths. Clearly a horse with some talent, the Derby may have come a bit soon for him, but the son of Daylami is one to watch through the season.

FRACAS: An unbeaten winner of two Derby trials. He won the Sandown Trial at his second start and followed it up with a gutsy display at Leopardstown. The latter race looked stronger than the former, as both the second, Alayan, and fourth, Bobs Pride, had previously won trials in good fashion. He is currently somewhat of the underdog as neither of his wins were achieved in the style of a Derby favourite. A son of In The Wings he is a close relation of four time Group/Grade One winner Beat Hollow.

GRAND CENTRAL: A leading Derby fancy following his debut win last year, he has been beaten in both starts this year. Well beaten by Alayan in the Leopardstown Guineas Trial, he was third, beaten a length by Fracas in the Derby Trial. Out of Coronation Stakes winner Rebecca Sharp, he bids to give sire, Sadler's Wells, his third Derby winner.

GYPSY KING: Put up a dazzling display in the Dee Stakes. His jockey, Kieran Fallon, was the first to admit to a less than classical ride and yet the once raced colt still managed to beat subsequent Gallinule Stakes winner Im Spartacus by a head. The form doesn't look as strong as that of Dubawi although Gypsy King should continue to improve and should appreciate the extra distance.

HATTAN: Bids to give Clive Brittain a first Derby success. Was a game winner of the Chester Vase he has improved with each of his four starts. Has over two lengths to find with Fracas, although he looked somewhat unlucky at Sandown. Out of a half sister to Brittain's dual Coronation Cup winner Warrsan, he is a son of Halling.

KINGS QUAY: Has no chance on current form. Decent two year old, he beat Wilko when winning the Washington Singer, he has been well beaten in his last two starts. He did run second in the Feilden Stakes behind the improving and progressive Rocamadour. He is a son of top class young sire Montjeu - a son of the ubiquitous Sadler's Wells.

KONG: Narrow winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial over high class Walk In The Park. The latter was third in the Group One Criterium International. The Lingfield form doesn't look strong however. John Dunlop has won the Derby twice before - with Shirley Heights and Erhaab. It is striking that Richard Quinn has gotten off him to ride The Geezer.

MOTIVATOR: The long time Derby fancy following an impressive win in the Racing Post Trophy. He was a smooth winner of the Dante Stakes at his seasonal debut and is currently unbeaten in three starts for Michael Bell. He, like his sire, Montjeu, is highly strung and may not be best suited to the electric atmosphere of Epsom. The one hole with the Dante is Falstaff's relative close proximity. The latter was a 100-1 shot and looks well exposed. Motivator did look to have something in hand and may well have improved for the run and should be right there.

ORATORIO: High class and consistent colt. Winner of the Grand Criterium last year, he was runner up in the Irish 2000 Guineas last time out. Like his conqueror, Dubawi, he has some stamina doubts, although Danehill sired last year's winner, North Light, and his dam is by Vaguely Noble. Has ground to find with the likes of Dubawi.

THE GEEZER: Richard Quinn's pick - he had the choice between The Geezer, Kong and Unfurled. Was second in the Dante and should be held by Motivator again here. An improving colt, he won his last two before the Dante. Another by Halling, his dam is by Be My Guest. Stamina shouldn't be an issue - he won over 11 furlongs comfortably and he could well fight out the finish.

UNFURLED: A narrow winner of the Predominate Stakes last time out. He beat Indigo Cat a head at Goodwood when a warm favourite.
The beaten horses there don't appear in the Derby and the form is hard to assess. He has won his last two starts and was third to the impressive Heron Stakes winner Proclamation three previously. A son of Unfuwain, his dam Peony was runner up in the French 1000 Guineas.

WALK IN THE PARK: This outsider has been well supported, coming in four points in the betting. Looked a likely classic prospect when third in the Criterium International last year. His hopes weren't helped by his defeat, albeit a narrow one, in the Lingfield Trial. Said to pull hard, the Montjeu colt will need to be more amenable if he is going to have any chance here. His dam, Classic Park, won the Irish 1000 Guineas in 1998.

SELECTION
1 Dubawi
2 Gypsy King
3 Motivator