Epsom Derby runners 2026: Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini heads 17-strong confirmations

Benvenuto Cellini was among seven Ballydoyle contenders entered for the colts Classic this afternoon as 17 were confirmed for the Betfred Epsom Derby.

The murmurs of Constitution River lining up were swiftly allayed, as he won the French Derby in impressive fashion on Sunday. Chester Vase winner Benvenuto Cellini appears the main Ballydoyle hope, having strengthened his position as market leader. He’ll be joined by Pierre Bonnard, who is yet to get off the mark this season. The Camelot colt won the Criterium last season, as did stablemate Los Angeles in 2023 prior to Derby third.

Frankel colt Action was also confirmed. Second to French Derby runner up Hawk Mountain last season, he filled that spot in the Dante last time out. Christmas Day was behind Action in third there, but was a taking winner of the Ballysax. That form has been franked, as the fifth and seventh were first and second in the Hotel Derby Trial. The third also franked that form, staying on well to finish fourth to Constitution River.

Endorsement has form that ties in with the protagonists, finishing second and third in the aforementioned trials. Causeway was a surprise confirmation, having in Group 3 company last weekend. Like Paddington, he won the Madrid Handicap on seasonal debut before the Listed Henry Longfellow Stakes.

Proposition rounds up the Ballydoyle contingent, who set the pace when second to Benvenuto Cellini at Chester last month.

Similar connections have rolled the dice with Derby trial winner James J Braddock. Trained by Aidan’s son Joseph, he fended off Pierre Bonnard at Leopardstown. He shaped as the one who’d appreciate the step up in trip the most, and is perhaps overlooked.

Dante winner Item heads those out to spoil Ballydoyle party 

Andrew Balding has had close encounters with the Derby without winning, but Dante winner Item has strong credentials. He was fifth in both the 2024 and 2023 renewals, latterly with Dante winner The Foxes. He saddled the second with Hoo Ya Mal in 2022, and Khalifa Sat in 2020. Item was well backed late on despite supposedly needing the run to fend off the Coolmore pair in the Dante. If he steps forward once again for that effort, he could spoil the Ballydoyle party once more.

Lingfield Derby Trial forecast Maltese Cross and Bay Of Brilliance bid to follow up their smart efforts. William Haggas last won the race in 1996, while Ralph Beckett is seeking his first colts classic victory. Balzac was six lengths behind that pair, though has proved to handle the track when third in the Blue Riband. Likewise has Rebel Rocker, who was second to Saxon Street in the trial at Epsom.

Amo Racing had a taste of what it could’ve been liked to win the Derby when second with King Of Steel in 2023. They field two here. Ancient Egypt is three from four, and returned with a comfortable win in Listed company. He’s from the family of Midday, who was second here in both the Oaks and the Coronation Cup. Wootton Bassett colt Poker is the other, who cost 4,300,009 GNS as a yearling. He has a long way to go to justify that fee, rated just 80 after three defeats.

A Taste Of Glory represents connections who’ve had plenty of success at larger odds in this race. Alderman makes up the 17 runner field, who although fairs little chance, is bred to be much better than his mark of 83.

2026 Epsom Derby Runners