IT would not have been music to the ears of Calandagan supporters when Oisin Murphy described the ground at Epsom as “soft” after winning the opener on Friday, and there is more rain forecast for Betfred Derby day.

The official forecast from the British Horseracing Authority anticipates “rain/showers from midnight and into the morning, heaviest around 8am to 9am - up to 6mm possible” followed by a brighter afternoon.

Murphy’s comments related to the five-furlong track, which was actually judged to be quicker than the mile-and-a-half course before racing got underway (the mile-and-a-half track was good to soft, good in places officially).

The Aga Khan Studs team have been vocal in wanting to avoid the rain with their globetrotting star ahead of the Group 1 Coolmore Coronation Cup (2.40), which is worth a cool £1 million through a revamped sponsorship initiative.

Speaking earlier this week, Nemone Routh, manager for the Aga Khan Studs in France, said: “The horse worked on Monday and is in great form, but we have always said we didn’t really want to run him in this race if the ground got too soft. It’s not because he doesn’t handle soft ground, but it would become a real test of stamina and I think that track would really find him out.”

Another angle with the potential to find out the Longines World’s Best Racehorse of 2025 is a strong pace scenario from Ballydoyle. That is bound to suit the strong-staying Jan Brueghel, who remains the last horse to beat Calandagan when the pair finished 1-2 in this race 12 months ago.

The presence of Illinois and last year’s Derby winner Lambourn is almost certain to make this a stern examination for the French raider.

“They will make it a true test, that is what they did last year,” said Routh. “Although officially they called it good to soft ground that day, Mickael [Barzalona] walked the track and thought it was testing, but then they had a lot of rain close to the race.”

O’Brien added: “Jan Brueghel is a solid, hardy horse and we were delighted with him at Chester [when winning the Ormonde Stakes last time]. He stays very well and he’s a hardy customer. He handled Epsom well last year, he’s had the prep and everything has gone well in that - we couldn’t be happier with him.

“We’re very happy with Lambourn. He had a very good run at Chester and we were surprised he was able to win over a mile and a quarter [in the Huxley Stakes] so he’s obviously improved since last year and a mile and a half will suit.”