NOT since High Chaparral in 2002 has the winner of Leopardstown’s Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial (3.30) managed to follow up in the Epsom Derby - but could that all be set to change this weekend?

You won’t find any bigger than 8/1 about Delacroix for the Betfred-backed classic on June 7th, and we’re sure to learn more about his credentials in Group 3 company tomorrow. It has already been a fine week for Aidan O’Brien’s classic contingent at Chester, and the form of Delacroix’s Ballysax Stakes win was directly boosted on Wednesday.

Lambourn, who finished two and a quarter lengths adrift of him in second when they clashed six weeks ago, created a fine impression when winning the Chester Vase, while the third, Tiberius Thunder, wasn’t disgraced when fourth in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom recently. Ballysax fifth Wemightakedlongway has also struck in the Group 3 Salsabil Stakes since.

Team Ballydoyle have completed this Ballysax-Derby Trial double several times - most recently with Broome and Bolshoi Ballet - and Delacroix brings top-level form to the table from last season, having finished second to French 2000 Guineas hope Hotazhell in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster.

Group 1 form

He isn’t the only Group 1 two-year-old from last term to line up here, however. Tennessee Stud arrives on the back of winning the Criterium de Saint-Cloud against just two rivals when last seen in late October. He previously got within three quarters of a length of Hotazhell in the Beresford Stakes.

Joseph O’Brien has made no secret of the fact he is working back from a tilt at Epsom with the Wootton Bassett colt, who is currently as big as 33/1 for classic glory.

Fresh from sending out 10 winners in the previous 14 days, O’Brien told The Irish Field: “We’re hoping for a good run from Tennessee Stud in the Derby Trial on Sunday. He’s wintered well and we’d like to think that this will be a nice stepping stone for him towards Epsom. We’re looking forward to getting his season started.”

Small but select

A field of only five go to post for the €100,000 contest. Acapulco Bay is making his first start in blacktype company but has shaped as though he’ll be able to make his mark at this type of level in 2025, a decent second on his Naas comeback to Epsom trial runner-up Trinity College.

Purview was a highly promising maiden winner at Dundalk on his only start back in November for Dermot Weld, and the more exposed Rock Of Cashel arrives with a mark of 103 from keeping strong company last year.