MAGNIFICENT 7 ON DERBY RAID

RACING: O’BRIEN TARGETS EPSON

AIDAN O’BRIEN has secured the services of top riders James Doyle and William Buick as part of his plans for Saturday’s Epsom Investec Derby.

O’brien, above, is responsible for seven of the 17 contenders for the classic and has confirmed that, after stablejockey Ryan Moore, inset, decides which of the Ballydoyle colts to ride, Doyle and Buick will be slotted into the plan.

One-time Derby favourite Mogul, sure to improve significantly from his disappointing recent return at Royal Ascot, remains the main O’brien challenger – despite the obvious claims of Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Vatican City (untried beyond a mile) and Russian Emperor, winner of the listed Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Completing the possible Ballydoyle representation are Irish Guineas third Armory, Fort Myers, Serpentine (impressive winner of his maiden at the Curragh at the weekend) Mythical and Amhran Na Bhfiann, fourth to Irish Derby runner-up Tiger Moth in a recent Leopardstown maiden.

Both Armory and Mythical hold an alternative engagement, along with stablecompanions Fort Myers and Order Of Australia in the Prix de Jockey-club (French Derby) at Chantilly on Sunday.

Epsom’s Saturday card also includes the Investec Oaks and O’brien can choose between Guineas winners Love and Peaceful, plus Ennistymon and Passion, second and third to Frankly Darling in the Ribblesdale at Ascot.

Sunday’s Coral Eclipse Stakes at Sandown will see the return to action of the mighty Enable, last seen when denied a third Arc by Waldgeist at Longchamp in October.

O’brien also will run dual Group 1 winner Japan and, perhaps, Magic Wand.