Mad and Max on Duty to run riot on Derby day

At one stage in yesterday's Epsom Oaks, the runners were doing their best Noah's Ark impression and swung round Epsom's Tattenham Corner two-by-two.

Unlike most Classics, there wasn't a great deal of pace in the early part of that race. But I can't believe the same is going to happen today in the £1.6 million Derby, the world's greatest horse race.

With maestro trainer Aidan O'Brien responsible for seven of the 13 runner-field, it's unlikely the race will be run at a crawl - whatever the outcome.

So who will come out on top? The unbeaten Sir Dragonet is the current market-leader and has the potential to be a superstar. But he didn't race as a juvenile and, in what can be a rough race, that's enough to put me off supporting him. Especially at his cramped odds of 3/1 or thereabouts.

Telecaster's recent win at York in the Dante prompted connections to stump up 85 grand to run in today's big race and he now finds himself next best at the top of the market. Personally, I have my doubts and I'll be giving him a swerve, along with another fancied O'Brien inmate, Broome.

My three against the field are: Madhmoon, who stayed on well for fourth in the 2,000 Guineas from an unfavourable draw in May. He's trading around the 10/1 mark.

Circus Maximus could go off at a similar, if not shorter, price with his big-race pilot Frankie Dettori already having tasted success in yesterday's Oaks. Circus Maximus's form stands up pretty well and you write-off his ultr-talented jockey at your peril on big race days.

Finally, it's more difficult to make a case for Line Of Duty because he's definitely not fired this season. But he posted some top-notch efforts as a juvenile winning both at Paris Longchamp on Arc day last October, as well as rounding off his season in fine style at the Breeders' Cup in the US.

There's always a twist in the Line Of Duty plot and we may be in store for something similar today. At odds of around the 40/1 I'm happy to take my chance each-way.

Be lucky!

EPSOM
2:00
Win: Nayef Road
2:35
Each-way: Bella Ragazza
3:10
Win: Bye Bye Hong Kong
3:45
Each-way Muthmir, Harome
4:30 The Investec Derby
Win: Madhmoon, Circus Maximus
Each-way: Line Of Duty
5:15
Win: Sextant
5:50
Win: Spanish City