Epsom Derby Odds: Desert Crown and Stone Age head the betting for Epsom Classic

The finishing touches are being put towards the preparations of all the leading 2022 Cazoo Derby contenders, as the Group 1 Classic is on the horizon and takes centre stage at Epsom Downs on June 4. We take a look at the latest Derby betting here and pick out the main protagonists for what should be a thrilling renewal next Saturday...

Sir Michael Stoute's Desert Crown rocketed to the head of the Derby betting with a sumptuous performance in the Dante Stakes at York, and the Freemason Lodge inmate is currently the 9/4 favourite to follow up at Epsom and claim Derby glory. Once-raced as a juvenile, the son of Nathaniel improved immeasurably from his debut success at Nottingham back in November by obliterating his rivals in fine fashion in the Dante, and he will now head to the Downs on Saturday week as the one to beat. Sure to relish the step up to the Derby trip of a mile-and-a-half, Desert Crown will face some notable rivals and characteristically Aidan O'Brien will have a strong team of colts lining up.

The Ballydoyle battalion will be spearheaded by the hugely exciting Stone Age, who booked his place at Epsom with a fine victory in the Leopardstown Derby Trial Stakes a few weeks ago. He had been favourite for the Derby following that impressive success, but slipped just behind the aforementioned Desert Crown following the Dante. Only a shade bigger in the betting, Stone Age is currently the 5/2 second favourite for the Derby, and the son of Galileo is much more experienced than his market rival, as he has had seven runs, and with the Derby trip sure to suit him then the pair should serve up a real hum-dinger.

O'Brien, who is bidding for a record-breaking ninth victory in the Derby, will not only have Stone Age, but he is also set to unleash Changingoftheguard, who was a stunning winner of the Chester Vase in May and that raider is an 8/1 chance, while United Nations was a fine victor of the Lingfield Derby Trial a few weeks ago, and that Irish raider is currently a 14/1 chance. Star Of India (16/1) was another to blossom at Chester's May meeting as that charge bagged the win in the Listed Dee Stakes, and he's set to be another flying the flag for a strong looking Ballydoyle squad.

Donnacha O'Brien's Piz Badile has proven popular in recent weeks and with news Frankie Dettori will partner that raider in the big race on June 4 then he's only going to gain more popularity. Last seen beating the classy Buckaroo in the Ballysax Stakes, Piz Badile will need to improve for that effort, but he's open to significant progression in the Derby and is an interesting contender.

Charlie Appleby has had a sensational season winning both the QIPCO 2000 Guineas and Irish 2000 Guineas and the Godolphin handler could send Nations Pride to Epsom for this event, but he will need to be supplemented for the contest. A fine seven-length winner of a Listed event at Newmarket, Appleby is yet to finalise his options for his exciting colt with Royal Ascot on the horizon, but at 9/1 in the latest betting Nations Pride is one to watch.

Of the others, Walk Of Stars, Westover and Eydon are another three horses in double-figured odds that could play a notable role, so it's fascinating to see how the market goes in the coming days ahead of the biggest race on the Flat calendar.