Dermot Weld is no stranger to success in the Irish Derby. He has won it three times and if any horse can turn over hot favourite Saxon Warrior at the Curragh on Saturday, the unexposed Bandua just might be the one.

While Saxon Warrior won the Qipco 2,000 Guineas in tremendous style, he flopped as an odds-on favourite for the Investec Derby when failing to handle the undulating Epsom track and will be out to restore his reputation.

In contrast, Bandua’s stock is rising, having won his only two starts – both at Cork – on heavy ground and on soft-to-heavy going.

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With 12 runners scheduled to go to post, Ireland’s premier Classic has attracted the biggest field for an Irish Derby since 2006.

Bandua is a 40/1 shot with Genting Bet and while temperatures are set to soar on already fast ground, Weld says the son of The Factor, a speedy US-based stallion who showed his best form on fast dirt surfaces, still has a bit to prove.

He said: “We’ve been fortunate to win the race three times and I would be more hopeful than confident, but I am very happy with Bandua and if there’s going to be an upset I hope it can be him.

“It looks a good renewal of the race and it has been strengthened by the horses that have been supplemented.

“He has been so effective on a soft surface. Whether he can adapt on a faster surface remains to be seen. The reason I am running him is he is working extremely well.

“He is American-bred so you would expect him to handle faster ground, but he bends his knee and that is why he was so effective on soft ground. That said, I still think he has a realistic chance of running a big race and if you are not in you can’t win.”

Epsom Derby runner-up Dee Ex Bee looks to give trainer Mark Johnston his first success in the race and he is joined by strong British representation with Old Persian and Knight To Behold standing their ground at yesterday’s declaration stage.

Following victory in the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot last week, Charlie Appleby supplemented Old Persian for the Irish Derby on Tuesday morning and William Buick will ride the son of Dubawi as the Newmarket-based trainer looks to complete the English and Irish Derby double for Godolphin.

Frankie Dettori has been booked to ride Knight To Behold for trainer Harry Dunlop who is aiming to emulate his father, John, who won the Irish Derby in 1978 with Shirley Heights and Salsabil in 1990.

Dettori, bidding to land his second Irish Derby, told the Racing Post that while he was “hoping for a little bit of improvement” from Knight To Behold, he felt the Epsom form should hold firm.

He said: “I don’t understand why Dee Ex Bee is not favourite for the race as he’s the one I fear the most.

“He’s proved at Epsom that he stays and he’s already beaten Saxon Warrior so I can’t believe how the bookmakers have priced it up. It doesn’t make sense to me.”

Saxon Warrior is the 8/11 favourite with Genting Bet, with Dee Ex Bee next in the betting at 4/1.

The Aidan O’Brien-trained favourite will be joined by stablemates Delano Roosevelt, Rostropovich and The Pentagon.

Mick Halford, who trains near the Curragh, will have his second runner in the Irish Derby with Gallinule Stakes winner Platinum Warrior, a son of Galileo.

Halford said: “Platinum Warrior’s preparation has gone well and he is a straightforward horse so we’ve had no headaches on that front.

“His homework has been very good and we were pleased with him on the Curragh last Tuesday morning, so we are looking forward to the race itself now. He seems to be a colt improving with racing.”

Friday’s afternoon racing comes from Cartmel, Doncaster and Yarmouth, while there are evening meetings at Chester, Newcastle, Newmarket and the Curragh.

Friday’s Selections

CARTMEL: 2.20 Siannes Star, 2.50 Flemish Maid, 3.20 Dear Sire, 3.50 MARTHA’S BENEFIT (NAP), 4.20 Miss Biscotti, 4.50 Beach Break, 5.20 Regulation

DONCASTER: 2.00 Glendun, 2.30 I Am Magical, 3.00 Blonde Warrior, 3.30 Al Jellaby (nb), 4.00 Arabian Gift, 4.30 Chiave De Volta, 5.00 Ghost

YARMOUTH: 2.10 Wiff Waff, 2.40 Mendoza, 3.10 Camomile Lawn, 3.40 Right About Now, 4.10 Ower Fly, 4.40 Insurgence, 5.10 Lily Ash

NEWCASTLE: 5.45 Surya, 6.20 Nuns Walk, 6.55 Returning Glory, 7.30 Eastern Impact, 8.05 Maid To Remember, 8.40 Mubhij, 9.10 Forever In Love

NEWMARKET: 5.35 Spirit Of Sarwan, 6.10 Lover’s Knot, 6.45 Excelleration, 7.20 Midnight Blue, 7.55 Tirania, 8.30 Breath Caught, 9.00 Arigato

CHESTER: 5.55 Red Force One, 6.30 Axel Kacklin, 7.05 Hidden Steps, 7.40 Mujassam, 8.15 Mr Reckless, 8.50 Harry Beau

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