Never shy of throwing multiple runners at the Epsom Derby, Aidan O’Brien is sending out another five-pronged attack this year and there is a strong possibility that he saddles the first three home.
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Despite his multiple runners, luck has not been overly kind to O’Brien and 2002 was the last time that that he trained the winner when High Chaparral landed the spoils.
Since 2009, O’Brien has had a barrage of horses filling the prominent Derby places, without finding a winner.
In 2009, he had the first four horses to chase home Sea The Stars, while a year later he was responsible for three of the first five finishers.
Treasure Beach appeared to have the race won 12 months ago before being collared by Pour Moi on the line, while Memphis Tennessee took fourth and Recital sixth.
Camelot heads his entrants this year and is the 4/7 favourite in the Epsom Derby odds, making him the first odds-on favourite since 1997.
However, Entrepreneur only finished fourth behind Benny The Dip and in total 14 of the 31 odds-on favourites in the history of the Derby have been turned over, which is a worryingly high number.
But if Camelot is to be beaten, it could easily be by a stablemate.
Astrology did little wrong in winning the Dee Stakes by 11 lengths and appeals each-way at 10/1, while Imperial Monarch is 12/1 and unbeaten in both career starts.
There is a big break in the Derby betting to Father Of Science at 33/1, but he could be overpriced given the impression he made when winning at Chester on his latest start in a race that was won by future Group One victors Mountain High and Harbinger.
Tower Rock appears the only one of O’Brien’s runners without a genuine hope and he could have been included simply for pace-making duties.