The Derby Ante-Post Tips: Aidan O’Brien Holds Aces At Epsom Once Again

A look at the ante-post market for The Derby at Epsom Downs, with William Hill News tipster Steve Mullington casting his eye over the Classic.

Having witnessed in person the current top three in the Derby betting running at Chester and York respectively, I would like to say I’m in a good position to assess their respective chances around Epsom Downs.

Epsom Derby Odds 2026:

• Benvenuto Cellini (9/4)
• Item (9/2)
• Constitution River (5/1)
• Maltese Cross (10/1)
• Pierre Bonnard (12/1)
• Hawk Mountain (14/1)
• Bar (16/1)

After a dominant victory in the Chester Vase, Benvenuto Cellini (9/4) was swiftly installed as the ante-post favourite in our horse racing betting on the back of landing that renowned Derby trial.

Aidan O’Brien used the Vase as the stepping stone for Derby glory with Lambourn last year and, 12 months on, Benvenuto Cellini leaped to the top of the Ballydoyle Derby running order, with a four-and-a-quarter-length triumph.

Jockey Ryan Moore said after the race: “He’s got a lovely pedigree and good form last year. It was nice to get him over a mile and a half and get the freshness out of him. The race got a little bit disjointed, but he quickened up very well. He’ll come on for that and we’re very happy with him.

“I sat on him a bit before last year and he had a nice win at Leopardstown before he ran in bad ground at Doncaster. This was nice carrying a penalty – it was a good performance.”

Sitting next in the sports betting is Constitution River (5/1), another star performer from the Aidan O’Brien stable.

Also successful at Chester, he showed speed, balance and a finishing kick to rout the opposition by seven lengths in the Dee Stakes.

O’Brien has warned however that the Derby third favourite could go to Chantilly for the Prix du Jockey Club, so stand by your bets for the time being.

Adding further to the conundrum is who would Ryan Moore ride at Epsom should both the current first and third favourites turn up?

O’Brien said at a recent press day: “I’d imagine if Constitution River went (to Epsom) Ryan would probably get off Benvenuto Cellini. I’d say he could, I’m only presuming what could happen. Ryan would think a lot about that.”

Away from the O’Brien domination at the top of the Derby betting is Item (9/2), who entered the Derby picture after making it three wins from three starts with a power packed effort in the Dante Stakes at York.

The Andrew Balding-trained son of Frankel was ridden with supreme confidence by Colin Keane, quickening away to a two-and-three quarter-lengths victory over Action, with Christmas Day, the 11-4 favourite, in third.

Widely regarded as a significant trial for the Epsom Classic next month, Item goes into the Derby with a strong chance of completing the double, with the last horse to do so being Desert Crown in 2022.

Who Wins The Derby?

It may sound highly unoriginal, but I have seen nothing so far this season that will lead me away from selecting one of the three market principles – with O’Brien in pole position to claim the lion’s share of prize money.

Having seen him in the flesh at Chester, I was certainly taken by Benvenuto Cellini, and the Roodee is the perfect racecourse to get some practice in for the similar demands of the Epsom Downs.

With his rapid acceleration and finishing speed, he has shown all the hallmarks of a Derby winner already.

Epsom Derby Antepost Selection: Benvenuto Cellini to win (9/4)

*Odds subject to change – prices accurate at the time of writing*