Our Channel books Derby ticket

William Haggas could put his perfect Epsom record on the line after Our Channel’s narrow victory in the Investec Derby Trial earned the colt a place in the Classic on June 7.

The trainer’s only previous Derby runner was the 1996 winner Shaamit, and he had been similarly pragmatic in the Oaks, with his first starter Dancing Rain galloping to glory three years ago before fourth-placed Vow became his only loser to date in 2012.

Our Channel arrived on the Downs after a low-key juvenile season which culminated in a win at Beverley and even if his head defeat of Marzocco does not look smart enough form at this stage, a bid is strongly backed by connections.