Horse Power: Stone Age can win the Cazoo Derby at Epsom

can win the Cazoo Derby (In Memory of Lester Piggott) (British Champions Series) (No Geldings) (4.30pm) at Epsom on Saturday afternoon.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien can land in a record-extending ninth victory in the Group One Classic at Epsom and deny Sir Michael Stoute and his favourite .

The Derby picture changed dramatically over the first two weeks of last month when the Classic Trial season began. First O’Brien’s Luxembourg put down a marker when third in the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas before stablemates and took the Chester Vase and Dee Stakes on the Roodee. Luxembourg was then ruled out with injury and Stone Age took over with a blistering wide-margin win in the Derby Trial – formerly the Derrinstown – at Leopardstown.

It seemed O’Brien would have a stranglehold until Stoute’s Nathaniel colt Desert Crown blitzed to victory in the Dante Stakes at York and shot to the top of the market to provide hopes of a sixth Derby success for the master of Freemason Lodge – who first won the blue riband with the mighty Shergar in 1981 – and a first since Workforce 12 years ago.

The twice-raced and still unbeaten Desert Crown certainly looks up to the task, but the same can be said of Stone Age.

The son of 2001 Derby hero, the late Galileo, could follow in his super sire’s footsteps and follow Derrinstown glory with Epsom success.

Stone Age failed to win as a juvenile, but returned with an eye-catching maiden victory at Navan in March to lead from start to finish in the Group Three Trial at Leopardstown.

He looks an uncomplicated, improving colt who should have no issues with Epsom or the tribulations of the Classic.

He should step up again over this longer 1m4f trip and could be a special middle-distance performer.

Desert Crown will