As in recent times, the Irish Derby – whose latest renewal comes up for decision on Saturday, June 25^th at 5:20 p.m. local (9:50 p.m. in India) – will be sponsored by Dubai Duty Free. Another phenomenon in the modern era is the utter domination of the race, run at The Curragh, by Ireland's leading trainer, Aidan O'Brien, whose trophy collection includes eleven trophies from the event in just the past couple of decades.

This stranglehold has meant that foreign stables have been more or less shut out from honours, although last year England's John Gosden sent over a runner – Jack Hobbs – who was simply too good for whatever Ballydoyle threw at him. So this preview will begin with the sole raider from across the Irish Sea. This is Ed Dunlop's Red Verdon (by Lemon Drop Kid), who has been supplemented for the race as he had been at Epsom in the Investec Derby. The consistent colt put up the only modest effort of his career at the famous Surrey venue where he was hampered at a crucial stage to finish sixth, beaten a dozen lengths. The most obvious interpretation of the fact that he is making the journey is that he is highly fancied at home – so must be kept on the right side. Silvestre De Sousa, who recently picked up a 12-day ban for excessive use of the whip, will partner the 10 to 1 chance.

The remaining eight Irish-trained runners hail from just three yards, those of O'Brien (four) and Jim Bolger and Dermot Weld, who field two apiece. Starting with the first-named, the stable was dealt a blow when their star sophomore, US Army Ranger (by Galileo) had to be withdrawn due to an unsatisfactory scope. At the time, the handsome colt was disputing favouritism for the race. Fortunately, such is the firepower at O'Brien's command that he has several others primed and ready to take up the challenge.

Leading his quartet is the Investec Derby-placed Idaho (by Galileo), who fought so gamely up the straight at Epsom to be third, and who will now enjoy a touch of the Ryan Moore magic. He clearly stays the trip well but will need the favourite to run a bit below par in order to be able to land the €855,000 prize. The possibility of this outcome currently trades at 9 to 4 against with the bookmakers.

Next best fancied of the County Tipperary-based runners is the 16 to 1 Port Douglas (by Galileo), with Seamie Heffernan in the irons; this colt led for a long way at Epsom before fading out. He'll need to show substantial improvement to bridge the deficit. Then comes another Epsom flop, Shogun (by Fastnet Rock), who is to be steered by Colm O'Donoghue. Rounding out the battalion is a newcomer to the classic trail, namely Claudio Monteverdi (by Galileo), to be ridden by the trainer's younger son, Donnacha. The latter pair are both longshots, being quoted at 33 to 1 and 50 to 1 respectively, and seem quite unlikely to be able to overcome so many other more worthy opponents.

Many, including this writer, had a higher opinion of Godolphin's Moonlight Magic (by Cape Cross) than his performance in the Investec Derby seemed to warrant. The mere fact that he is turning up here after finishing last there means that his schooler, the experienced Jim Bolger, found nothing seriously amiss when he returned home to Coolcullen in County Carlow after his English sojourn. After all, the bay ran some 72 points lower than his best rating, and as such deserves another chance to show what he is actually made of. The superbly-bred colt, with usual partner Kevin Manning in the saddle, is on offer at 12 to 1. Bolger's second string, Stellar Mass (by Sea The Stars) is a course-and-distance winner. The Ronan Whelan-ridden colt, at 33 to 1, has won his last two starts but needs a significant leap in form to be able to land a blow.

Which brings us to the Aga Khan-owned, Dermot Weld-trained, pair of Harzand (by Sea The Stars) and what is presumably his pacemaker, Ebidiyin (by Raven's Pass). As followers of the international turf will be aware, Harzand defied a last-minute hiccup – he lost a shoe a few hours before the race – to make history by prevailing  in the Investec Derby three weeks ago. That effort, coupled with the fact that he had to be administered a course of antibiotics subsequently, had an effect on him as his veteran trainer admitted:  “You never know what they take out of you at the time……..I think he’s putting his weight back on and perking up. He’s moving very nicely and, provided we’re satisfied with him……..he’ll run on Saturday……..It is definitely coming a week sooner than I’d like. The final decision will be made on the day of the race.”

The trainer's candid words caused some gyrations in the odds, as Harzand drifted out to as much as 7 to 4 before firming up again to around 5 to 4. The ground is slated to have a bit of juice in it following some precipitation and that would very much suit the Derby hero who will try to become the seventeenth of his ilk to complete the coveted double (since 1962) – if he runs. Weld has won the race twice before through Zagreb (1996) and Grey Swallow (2004), while rider Pat Smullen has taken home the prize once when he rode the last-named to a famous victory.

To sum it up, Harzand is almost certainly the best runner in the field but one does not know if he may – or may not – be able to deliver his A1 effort on the day.