IT IS NOT ALL ABOUT CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD

THERE’S just six days to The Cazoo Derby, and the contenders for Epsom glory in the world’s greatest flat race could not be tighter. Newsboy DAVID YATES looks at the five vying for Classic honours

DESERT CROWN

Trainer: Sir Michael Stoute SPRING Derby gamble leapt to the front of the market with an emphatic Dante Stakes victory at York that put his 76-year-old trainer back in the big-race limelight. POSITIVES: Has come a long way in a short space of time and there is still a big upside.

NEGATIVES: Light on experience with just two starts.

STONE AGE

NATIONS PRIDE

PIZ BADILE

CHANGINGOFTHEGUARD

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien

FAILED to win in five attempts as a two-year-old but followed maiden score at Navan with impressive fiveand-a-half-length success in Leopardstown’s Derby Trial. POSITIVES: O’Brien (left) has captured six of the past 10 runnings of the Derby – so he’s in the right stable. NEGATIVES: How much improvement is still to come?

Trainer: Charlie Appleby ADDED to the Derby field at a cost of £75,000 after winning for the fourth time in a row with a seven-length margin in the Newmarket Stakes a month ago. POSITIVES: Godolphin’s Appleby has Derby success via Masar in 2018 and Adayar 12 months ago.

NEGATIVES: Pedigree casts doubt on his staying power.

Trainer: Donnacha O’Brien SHOWED a game attitude for a short-head call in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown and seeks to give his handler, younger son of Aidan, a first Derby triumph. POSITIVES: Donnacha (left) has made great strides and the booking of Frankie Dettori is a definite plus. NEGATIVES: Form looks a notch below the principals.

Trainer: Aidan O’Brien LEFT his two-year-old form behind to land a Dundalk maiden by six lengths before landing the Chester Vase by an additional half length.

POSITIVES: Strong galloper has already proved his stamina for a mile and a half.

NEGATIVES: A big step forward is stil required.