Aidan O’Brien bids for his 12th Derby victory with an Epsom team headed by favourite Benvenuto Cellini while Item leads the British challenge17:00, 04 Jun 2026There is an air of inevitability that Aidan O’Brien will clinch his 12th victory in the £2 million Betfred Derby at Epsom on Saturday. The master trainer fields four solid challengers and there may be little his rivals can do to stop him.‌Only on Sunday the Ballydoyle trainer pulled off a famous one-two-three in the French Derby as favourite Constitution River overcame a usually impossible draw to land the Prix du Jockey Club in Chantilly.‌That scenario could be repeated on Saturday with O’Brien training the long-time favourite Benvenuto Cellini, the mount of Ryan Moore, Pierre Bonnard, Action and Christmas Day.‌That is unless a colt such as Item, the unbeaten winner of the Dante Stakes, trained by Andrew Balding for Juddmonte, proves himself out of the ordinary.They are the main stars of the 14-runner contest, Britain’s richest race, which will be shown live on ITV at 4pm on Saturday.Betfred Derby: Guide to the runners and latest William Hill oddsBenvenuto Cellini (2-1) - The long-time big race favourite who confirmed his right to that position with a convincing four and a quarter length victory in the Chester Vase over the Derby distance. Gets Ryan Moore’s vote.‌Item (7-2) - The clearcut Dante winner is the best chance yet for Colin Keane, appointed Juddmonte number one in the middle of last year, to get his hands on the prize. He’s needed time to settle into the role and has yet to ride a winner at Epsom from six rides.Pierre Bonnard (11-2) - Ballydoyle’s big hope for the race last year has stayed on course despite suffering two defeats in 2026. Chances seem to have improved with rain at Epsom and booking of Soumillon makes him arguably stable second choice.‌James J Braddock (9-1) - Defeated Pierre Bonnard at Leopardstown last time to earn his place in the field for Joseph O’Brien, a Derby-winning jockey. Further improvement necessary but possible.Maltese Cross (9-1) - Another proven stayer who has won three in a row, including the Lingfield Derby Trial, holding on grittily from Bay Of Brilliance. Has place potential at best.Bay Of Brilliance (10-1) - Has a neck to find with Maltese Cross and may well turn the tables, with winning form on soft ground.‌Action (16-1) - Aidan O’Brien has declared first time cheekpieces for the Dante runner-up and close relative of last year’s winner Lambourn. Likely to be ridden positively again and may prove hard to catch.Ancient Egypt (16-1) - Kia Joorabchian’s Amo Racing has had two seconds in the Derby and this the best chance of his team’s two runners. Bought for over £1m, he has won three out of four but now takes a big leap in class.‌Christmas Day (18-1) - Ryan Moore’s pick in the Dante finished third in the York trial. He has won twice at Group 3 level and looks like another solid Ballydoyle contender.Alderman (125-1) - Owner Julie Wood's only previous Derby runner unshipped rider Pat Dobbs. She will be happy to see this maiden finish the race.‌Balzac (125-1) - Third in the Lingfield Derby Trial yet finished well behind the first two.Rebel Rocker (125-1) - First runner for trainer Faye Bramley has course experience but short of requisite class.Poker (150-1) - Amo Racing second string has so far failed to live up to his £4m plus price tag.Article continues belowVerdict and 1-2-3This is not the strongest Derby of recent years with many in the field tackling Group 1 company for the first time. That cannot be said for the Ballydoyle quartet who are closely matched on past performances despite what the betting suggests. At 2-1 Benvenuto Cellini looks too short to recommend, despite being Ryan Moore’s choice. It’s worth noting Ballydoyle number two Wayne Lordan has found himself on three Classic winners so far this year and triumphed a year ago on Lambourn. There is better value in the other three O’Brien colts, ACTION, Pierre Bonnard and Christmas Day. Action had excuses for his odds-on defeat at Sandown, ran better at York and could improve even further now he tackles 1m4f with headgear fitted.1 Action, 2 Pierre Bonnard, 3 Christmas Day