French-trained horses have a good record in the race, and Darsi, one of four supplementary entries for the 1.5 million contest, will be bidding to become the fifth French-trained winner since Winged Love obliged in 1995.

The Polish Precedent colt is joined in by two other French raiders, Robert Collet's French Derby runner-up Best Name and the Andre Fabretrained Gentlewave.

Fabre has an excellent strike rate in the race, with two wins under his belt already, while Gentlewave comes here on the back of success in the Italian Derby.

Jockey Johnny Murtagh, who has two Irish Derby wins to his credit, adds further strength to Gentlewave's cause by taking the ride.

Aidan O'Brien goes in search of his fourth Irish Derby win, and Kieren Fallon's mount Dylan Thomas, one of three Ballydoyle representatives in the field, may be one he one to give Darsi most to do. Dylan Thomas was a close third behind Sir Percy and the luckless Dragon Dancer, who renew rivalries again here, in the Vodafone Derby at Epsom four weeks ago and prior to that landed the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown.

That race has thrown up several good English and Irish Derby winners in recent times, and as a son of Danehill, Dylan Thomas has the added advantage of the ground conditions being in his favour. Stable-companion Puerto Rico, meanwhile, was a good winner of the Gallinule Stakes over this course in late May.

Commander In Chief was the last English-trained winner of the Irish Derby back in 1993, and this year's raiding party of Best Alibi, who met with trouble in running when sixth to Sir Percy at Epsom, Classic Punch and Dragon Dancer, are unlikely to change that statistic. Dragon Dancer does, however, have a good chance of making the frame, but you can have long odds on Classic Punch taking a share of the spoils.

Cougar Bay, a supplementary entry from the David Wachman yard, has been popular with each-way punters during the week, and after opening up at a price of 33-1, the odds of the Silver Stakes runner-up have been cut to 20-1.

Trainer Jim Bolger, who has won the Irish Derby before with St Jovite, is represented by Heliostatic. The Galileo colt is well-regarded by Bolger, and cannot be easily discounted, but Darsi is still the one fancied to come out on top.