Which camp are you in for the Investec Derby?

John Gosden has a team of five for the Investec Derby. Picture: Racingfotos.com

Which camp are you in for the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday? The world’s greatest Flat race can be neatly divided into four this year: 1 Aidan O’Brien runners. 2 John Gosden runners. 3 Sheikh Mohammed runners. 4 The Rest.

CAMP 1: AIDAN O’BRIEN RUNNERS

The prolific Ballydoyle-based handler has already won this season’s first two British Classics via Churchill (QIPCO 2000 Guineas) and Winter (QIPCO 1000 Guineas), and is mob-handed in his attempt to continue his domination.

O’Brien will saddle six runners – Cliffs Of Moher is regarded as his principal hope and is joined by Capri, Douglas Macarthur, The Anvil, Venice Beach and Wings Of Eagles – in his quest for a sixth success.

He is no stranger to having multiple runners in the race but has only once run more, when throwing eight darts at the board in 2007. None of them hit the bullseye.

Cliffs Of Moher will be ridden by Ryan Moore and is the shortest-priced O’Brien contender, although the betting is not always an accurate gauge.

In 2002, High Chaparral (7-2) won after stablemate Hawk Wing, who finished second, had been sent off 9-4 favourite. And in 2013, Battle Of Marengo went off 11-2 but could finish only fourth behind Ruler Of The World (7-1).

CAMP 2: JOHN GOSDEN RUNNERS

At The Breakfast With Stars function at Epsom last week, John Gosden said the Derby jockeys could be in for a tough time negotiating a clear run because of the likely big field.

What he did not reveal was that he himself was going to be responsible for five runners. He has never previous saddled more than two, going back 25 years.

Cracksman is his principal hope but he will also saddle Khalidi, Glencadam Glory, Pealer and Crowned Eagle.

Pealer is part-owned by his wife, Rachel, and Andrew Lloyd-Webber.

CAMP 3: SHEIKH MOHAMMED RUNNERS

It must be a source of frustration to Sheikh Mohammed that his blue Godolphin colours have never been carried to a Derby success.

Before that his runners would run in maroon and white but, again, they never decorated a Derby winner.
Dubai Millennium, perhaps the greatest horse Sheikh Mohammed has owned, started favourite in 1999 but did not stay and trailed home ninth. In 2013, Dawn Approach went off 5-4 favourite but finished last.

Such memories will be erased if Benbatl, Best Solution or Dubai Thunder take the spoils in Godolphin blue. And he will be just as proud if Permian, owned by one of his sons, emerges on top.

CAMP 4: THE REST

The only four runners not connected with Aidan O’Brien, John Gosden or Sheikh Mohammed are Eminent, Salouen, Rekindling and Diore Lia.

Each will be first runners in the Derby for their respective trainers.

Martyn Meade (Eminent) and Sylvester Kirk (Salouen) are relishing the big day, while Joseph O’Brien will become only the fifth person in the 237-year history of the race to ride and train a Derby winner should Rekindling take the spoils.

O’Brien Jr won two Derbys (on Ruler Of The World and Camelot) and would become the first since Harry Wragg, in 1961, to achieve the double.

The participation and riding arrangements for Diore Lia, a filly yet to lose her maiden tag, have attracted headlines this week. She is 1,000-1 to emerge victorious.