IS there a more fascinating contest in the whole of horseracing than the Derby? I think not.

Whether or not the field is up to strength, or contains a horse destined for superstardom, the puzzle provided by a group of well-touted and well-bred three-year-olds of various experience and achievements, tackling the twists, turns, inclines, declines and cambers of Epsom’s mile and a half, would challenge Einstein. In some years, the puzzle seems as big after the event as before.