AIDAN O’Brien has landed six of the last 10 Derbys at Epsom and is usually mob-handed in pursuit of the Blue Riband event, so it is surprising that Bolshoi Ballet (110+) is the sole Ballydoyle-declared runner from a possible six entries. In his two starts this season the son of Galileo has yet to be tested but, in winning the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial on his latest outing, he displayed all the hallmarks of a colt who can rate the best of his generation over middle distances.

The feature of the Leopardstown victory was the ease in which he travelled at a strong pace before quickening when meeting the rising ground turning for home.

The son of Galileo has also clocked the fastest time figure on a sound surface of those declared to run.

Connections have decided to keep High Definition for the Irish Derby at the Curragh later this month and that looks a smart decision.

The best indicator for the form of the Derrinstown event was the subsequent 2000 Guineas win of Mac Swiney (105), who cannot be completely dismissed, given the season trainer-breeder Jim Bolger and his jockey Kevin Manning are enjoying.

However, the son of New Approach was firmly put in his place by Bolshoi Ballet irrespective of what materialised post-race and he achieved more on the clock at Leopardstown than was required at the Curragh.

Third Realm’s (108) time figure when winning the Lingfield Derby Trial was the equivalent of Bolshoi Ballet but it was achieved on a slower surface and, although the son of Sea The Stars won his maiden on fast ground, that performance was some way below his achievement at Lingfield.

In his favour, the Roger Varian-trained colt is very well balanced, as he demonstrated by his circling of the field before staying on strongly to beat Adayar (104), who may well reoppose this weekend.

The extra distance of ground and the more demanding test of this race will undoubtedly suit both, but it would be a surprise not to see Third Realm confirm that form.

Godolphin

The Dante Stakes at York was also a truly-run race and has persuaded William Buick to choose its winner Hurricane Lane (112) from the three Charlie Appleby Godolphin entries.

The sectionals on the Knavesmire made interesting reading and show that once the son of Frankel hit top stride, he maintained the gallop to be well on top at the line and therefore looks set to improve for stretching out in trip.

A glance at the form of his Newbury maiden win also adds positivity to his profile as he had Maximal (second to Earlswood at Chester), Tasman Bay (runner-up to John Leeper at Newmarket) and River Alwen (third to the potentially top-class Bay Bridge at Newbury) all in behind.

Of the two colts with the potential to improve from listed company, I would prefer the chances of Mohaafeth (100+) over John Leeper (95+) as the William Haggas-trained colt improved mentally from his first Newmarket victory to his second, which was the opposite of his time figure performance.

A combination of the professionalism displayed with the speed the son of Frankel undoubtedly possesses will not leave him with much to find on the leading principals.