A TOTAL of 16 horses were left in the Derby after Tuesday’s second scratchings deadline and that number may be whittled down further at the five-day confirmation stage on Monday.

Aidan O’Brien accounts for nearly half of the field at present with his main hope Saxon Warrior odds-on with all bookmakers to make it a Guineas-Derby double and set up a Triple Crown bid. O’Brien, speaking on the phone at the Breakfast with the Stars event at Epsom on Tuesday morning, suggested the son of Deep Impact could be joined by all six of his currently entered stablemates.

“I’m very happy with Delano Roosevelt and The Pentagon following their runs at Leopardstown,” the Ballydoyle handler reported. “I would imagine they will head to Epsom as will Kew Gardens and possibly Zabriskie, who ran very well at York in the Dante. Nelson is another possible - he was slightly disappointing at Leopardstown last time - as is Rostropovich.”

John Gosden was also on the phone to confirm Dante winner Roaring Lion will go for the race. The Qatar Racing colt was the most impressive Derby trial winner but has been beaten by Saxon Warrior on the two occasions the pair have met.

Gosden said: “Roaring Lion came on a lot for the 2000 Guineas - he wound up racing on his own outside the heart of the race, but I was still thrilled with his run. I have always longed to run him over middle distances.”

Elsewhere this week it was confirmed that Frankie Dettori has been booked by Dermot Weld to ride Hazapour. The Aga Khan-owned colt won the Derrinstown Stud Trial Stakes on his first run of the season.

Declan McDonogh rode him at Leopardstown but Weld has opted to secure the experience of Dettori, who has won the Derby twice.

“I’m very excited to be riding Hazapour but my thoughts go out to Pat Smullen, I’ve got the ride in unfortunate circumstances,” Dettori said.

William Haggas used the Breakfast with the Stars event to gain valuable Epsom experience for his Chester Vase winner Young Rascal. The son of Intello was ridden by James Doyle both on Tuesday and at Chester but he may not be available to ride him in the Derby if his primary employers Godolphin call on his services.

Knight To Behold, the Lingfield Derby Trial winner, is another who is on track. He is set to be a debut Derby runner for Harry Dunlop, whose father John won the Epsom showpiece twice, with Shirley Heights (1978) and Erhaab (1994).