Scottish jockey Richard Quinn is hoping 13 will be his lucky number as prepares for Saturday's Vodafone Derby.

The 39-year-old will ride the Barry Hills-trained Chancellor, currently priced between 10-1 and 14-1.

With 12 attempts in the Epsom classic under his belt, the Scot's best finish was third on Beat Hollow last year.

"I'll be looking to improve on that - by two places," said Quinn, who, with 43 winners this term, trails only Pat Eddery in the jockey's championship race.

Quinn gets his chance because his main retainer Henry Cecil is without a runner in Saturday's big race.

Chancellor is one of four horses Hills has in the 12-strong field and was a Group Three Classic Trial winner in April, holding off the significant threat of Asian Heights on heavy ground at Sandown.

Chancellor has not run since then and health problems a few weeks ago meant a loss of weight and have held up his progress.

Although Chancellor was turned down by the trainer's sons, Richard and Michael, Quinn believes the horse is an excellent prospect.

'No disadvantage'

"He's one of the few horses in the race that has won a Group race so he has an outstanding chance," added Quinn.

"The horse wants to win so he has every chance."

Quinn will get on board the horse for the first time on Friday morning and have a gallop round Epsom to familiarise himself with the conditions and his new ride.

"We're quite adaptable chaps, so I don't think it's a real disadvantage. I've seen what the horse can do first hand and he's a quality performer."

The other horses Hills has running in the race, which returns to televised coverage by the BBC for the first time in 22 years, are Perfect Sunday, Storming Home and Mr Combustible.

"All four are right on course for the race," confirmed Hills.

Derby entries: Cashel Bay, Chancellor, Dilshaan, Galileo, Golan, King Carew, Mr Combustible, Perfect Sunday, Putra Sandhurst, Storming Home, Sunny Glenn, Tobougg.