INVESTEC DERBY
Venue: Epsom Date: 6 June Time: 1545 BST
Raceday coverage: Live on BBC One and BBC Sport website from 1315 to 1620, and on BBC Radio 5 Live; Highlights 0035 BBC One.

By Cornelius Lysaght BBC racing correspondent

Sea The Stars is fancied to record an historic success in the 230th Derby (1545 BST) as the colt tries to become the first since Nashwan 20 years ago to complete the 2000 Guineas/Epsom double.

In the intervening years a couple of Guineas runners-up - Sir Percy in 2006 and New Approach 12 months ago - have claimed Derby glory, while in 1991, Generous confirmed the old adage "fourth in the Guineas, win at Epsom" but the actual double has proved elusive.

Sea The Stars, one of eight Irish hopefuls in the line-up, attempts to give his trainer John Oxx a second Derby win in only three attempts, while his jockey Mick Kinane looks for success number three after Commander In Chief and Galileo.

Galileo, who is Sea The Stars' half-brother, is now one of the lynchpin stallions in Ireland's globally successfully Coolmore racing and thoroughbred breeding operation.

Coolmore stallions dominate this year's race even more than the Tipperary-based operation's actual racing interests: it has six runners, all trained by Aidan O'Brien, and headed by Rip Van Winkle and Fame And Glory.

The eighth Irish contender is the not to be underestimated Gan Amhras, from the Jim Bolger stable, who was third behind Sea The Stars in the 2000 Guineas.

With respect to the four Brits, Crowded House, Debussy, Kite Wood and Montaff, it is hard to imagine that the Irish tricolour will not be playing a big part come prize-giving, with Sea The Stars perhaps making history.

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