Flat racing’s premier Classic has attracted a typically strong field and we’re taking a look at all 14 runners in our 2026 Epsom Derby tips.
Irish raiders have dominated recent renewals, with Aidan O’Brien chasing a fourth straight blue riband success and a record-extending 12th triumph overall, but can the home team hit back this Saturday? Here is how we rank each contender, in reverse order:
A Taste of Glory
14. A TASTE OF GLORY (Andrew Balding) 150/1
Won a handicap off a mark of 80 by a neck. Both times he has stepped up in class he has failed to beat a rival and is out of his depth.
Alderman
13. ALDERMAN (Richard Hannon) 200/1
Has bumped into two nice types the last twice, but at the same time has seen his limitations exposed.
Poker
12. POKER (Karl Burke) 200/1
Bred to win a Derby, but nothing he has done on the track suggests he is capable of doing so. Cost 4.3million guineas though, so we can perhaps understand why connections want to run.
Rebel Rocker
11. REBEL ROCKER (Faye Bramley) 100/1
A nice story for his owner and breeder to have a Derby runner from her only mare but the tale is unlikely to have a fairytale ending.
Balzac
10. BALZAC (Jane Chapple-Hyam) 50/1
There is no doubt this colt possesses a decent level of ability, but he was beaten further by Maltese Cross at Lingfield than he was on his debut.
Bay of Brilliance
9. BAY OF BRILLIANCE (Ralph Beckett) 14/1
A nice horse and he will no doubt go on to have a decent future in Pattern races, but his career to date does not scream Derby winner. Place prospects only.
Christmas Day
8. CHRISTMAS DAY (Aidan O’Brien) 20/1
Caused a mild surprise when winning the Ballysax Stakes and went off favourite for the Dante but never looked like winning, without being disgraced. O’Brien does have past form for prevailing with big-priced winners, such as Wings Of Eagles at 40/1 and 25/1 shot Serpentine.
Action
7. ACTION (Aidan O’Brien) 14/1
A very nice horse in his own right, second in a Group One last year and filled the same spot in the Dante. Out of the same dam as last year’s winner Lambourn and although rated the yard’s third string, don’t forget the same view applied to his half-brother at this point 12 months ago.
Outright Odds
2026 Epsom Derby Outright Odds
Horse | Odds | Chance |
|---|---|---|
Benvenuto Cellini | 2/1 | 33.3% |
Item | 4/1 | 20% |
Pierre Bonnard | 5/1 | 16.7% |
James J Braddock | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Maltese Cross | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Bay of Brilliance | 10/1 | 9.1% |
Bar | 14/1 | 6.7% |
Odds are correct at the time of writing, but subject to change.
Maltese Cross
6. MALTESE CROSS (William Haggas) 8/1
Thirty years on from his trainer’s sole win in the race with Shaamit, Haggas only ever lets them line up if he thinks he has a chance of winning, hence he has only had three other runners.
Ancient Egypt
5. ANCIENT EGYPT (Charlie Johnston) 14/1
Hails from the stable who provided last year’s second and this Frankel colt has plenty going for him. Loads to like about the way he won at Newmarket and pedigree offers every chance of seeing out the trip.
James J Braddock
4. JAMES J BRADDOCK (Joseph O’Brien) 10/1
Named after a boxer and his victory over Pierre Bonnard in traditionally Ireland’s best trial forced connections to roll the dice. Victory did not look likely until the last 50 yards and sure to improve for another two furlongs.
Item
3. ITEM (Andrew Balding) 4/1
The best of the home hopes as an unbeaten Dante winner. Was rather unheralded over the winter, having been pulled out of the Futurity Trophy because of heavy ground. Looks sure to stay, but does he have the class?
Pierre Bonnard
2. PIERRE BONNARD (Aidan O’Brien) 5/1
Went into the winter as ante-post favourite having created a big impression when winning at Newmarket and following up in France. Has been beaten at short prices twice in his trials, but the trainer still has faith.
Benvenuto Cellini
1. BENVENUTO CELLINI (Aidan O’Brien) 2/1
It might not be an original top pick, but despite calls for Coolmore to run Constitution River at Epsom, they let him run – and win – in France in the belief they had the ideal Epsom horse in this Chester Vase winner. Logic says we should keep it simple and follow O’Brien’s lead.
Derby Prediction
2026 EPSOM DERBY PREDICTION
As ever, Aidan O’Brien has a stranglehold having already supplied the first three home in the French Derby and it is difficult to look beyond BENVENUTO CELLINI, who ultimately won well at Chester. It would be no shock should Pierre Bonnard take a huge leap forward from what he has done this season and make up a Ballydoyle one-two.
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