The Epsom Derby 2023 Runners: A look at the entries for the Classic showpiece

Military Order, Auguste Rodin and Arrest are all set to feature among the entries for the 2023 Betfred Derby, which takes place at Epsom Downs on Saturday 3rd June and we take a look at some of the leading protagonists set to line up for the Classic showpiece...

Charlie Appleby will bid for a third Derby victory in six years on June 3 when he unleashes the hugely exciting colt Military Order, who is one of those sitting at the head of the ante-post betting for the iconic Flat race, and the Lingfield Derby Trial winner will be looking to make it four wins on the bounce. The son of Frankel has been hugely progressive in recent times and launched to the summit of the Derby Odds when bounding to Lingfield success and the Godolphin raider is sure to prove popular with punters for this year's event.

Taking place at the earlier time of 13:30 - due to the FA Cup final starting at 15:00 - this year's Derby doesn't have a standout performer and Aidan O'Brien, who is looking for a record-breaking ninth Derby win, is set to saddle Auguste Rodin, who is looking to bounce back from a disappointing run in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket. Last year's top notch two-year-old was sent off a hot favourite for the Guineas, but failed to land any sort of blow, but the step up to a mile-and-a-half here is likely to bring on significant improvement and the Ballydoyle team are still very bullish about his chances and he's likely to be the main spearhead for the O'Brien team.

Frankie Dettori will ride in his last ever Derby, as he is set to retire at the end of the season, and the enigmatic Italian, who has won the Derby twice before, will likely partner the John & Thady Gosden-trained Arrest. A stunning six length winner of the Chester Vase at the recent May meeting, the Frankel colt shaped like he could be another leading challenger for Derby success.

Sir Michael Stoute claimed Derby glory last season with Desert Crown and the master of Freemason Lodge could look for more success in the race with Passenger, who will need to be supplemented for the race. Hugely impressive when winning on debut at Newmarket, he was then an eye-catching third in the Dante Stakes at York, where he found traffic problems, so if he is entered for the event then has to be respected.

The aforementioned Dante Stakes at York could well be a race that throws up notable clues for the Derby and the winner of the event was Andrew Balding's The Foxes, who is set to head to Epsom to try and claim victory in the race. Balding is yet to claim glory in the race, but is sure to attract some attention with some punters' Derby Tips, and he has proven he is a class act with more to come on the track.

Others of note in the current list of runners include Jessica Harrington's Sprewell, who was a clear winner of the Group 3 Derby Trial Stakes at Leopardstown a few weeks ago and that could be another prominent Irish raider making the journey over, while the likes of White Birch, Dubai Mile and Waipiro add significant depth to the field.