Racing: Power of Kinane can enable Empire to strike back

Simon Holt (right) of the Channel 4 Racing team analyses the Derby runners and expects the beaten favourite for the Irish 2,000 Guineas to regain his status

Border Arrow: Relished Newmarket's uphill finish in his first two starts and again ran well when third to King Of Kings in the 2,000 Guineas. Seemed jaded by those exertions when third to Saratoga Springs in the Dante Stakes. Big horse who may not handle the track.

City Honours: Wintered in Dubai and looked a million dollars before splitting Saratoga Springs and Border Arrow in the Dante at York. Finished third in the Royal Lodge Stakes for Peter Chapple-Hyam last season and should be well suited by today's trip.

Courteous: A son of the l991 Derby winner, Generous, he easily won the Classic Trial at Sandown on soft ground, with the subsequent French Guineas runner-up Muhtathir a well-beaten third. Wet weather has improved his chance.

Greek Dance: Beautifully-bred colt by Sadler's Wells out of St Leger runner-up Hellenic. Improving with every race. Easily won a maiden at Newmarket and then trounced Capri by six lengths in the Glasgow Stakes at York. Working well and strongly fancied, though yet to beat Group-class opponents.

Gulland: Ran a cracker when a neck second to Xaar in the Craven Stakes but largely dismissed as a likely Derby winner since his unimpressive short-head defeat of The Glow-Worm in the Chester Vase. Tied up in the closing stages there but had been left in front some way out and could still run a big race if ridden with more restraint.

Haami: This son of the 1989 Derby winner, Nashwan, ran a good fifth behind King Of Kings in the 2,000 Guineas. Has pleased connections since, though is not guaranteed to stay and needs fast ground.

High-Rise: Unbeaten colt who earned his place here when holding Sadian's challenge by a neck in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Should go on improving and has a useful turn of foot.

King Of Kings: Beat Lend A Hand and Border Arrow in the 2,000 Guineas, but surprisingly announced a Derby runner soon afterwards despite seeming unlikely, both on racing style and breeding, to stay a mile and a half. Has been discarded by Michael Kinane in favour of Second Empire.

Mutamam: Unlucky third to Saratoga Springs in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last autumn. Blew hard after a disappointing second to Rabah in the Predominate Stakes at Goodwood on reappearance. Should strip fitter here but has had a rushed preparation.

Sadian: At big odds for a horse handled by three-time Derby-winning trainer Henry Cecil. Battled on well when a neck second to High-Rise in the Lingfield Derby Trial. Something to find on the book but a nice colt with a willing attitude and no stamina doubts.

Saratoga Springs: Tough, if somewhat lazy, individual who found plenty of reserves to win the Dante Stakes but had his limitations exposed when fourth to Dream Well in the French Derby last weekend.

Second Empire: Looked a cracking prospect when winning Grand Criterium at Longchamp last year. Controversially ridden by Christy Roche when third to Desert Prince in Irish 2,000 Guineas. Now the mount of Michael Kinane and big improvement expected.

Sunshine Street: Runner-up on all five starts so far. A recent second to Risk Material in a Group Three at Leopardstown hardly looks good enough.

The Glow-Worm: A progressive colt this season, finishing strongly when just failing to catch Gulland in the Chester Vase last time having previously landed the Blue Riband Trial over this course and distance.

Cape Verdi: Put up outstanding performance when trotting up by five lengths from Shahtoush in the 1,000 Guineas and is reported in wonderful shape for this enterprising attempt.

Conclusion: SECOND EMPIRE can confirm the outstanding impression he made as a two-year-old. Gulland should not be dismissed despite his unimpressive Chester win, while Courteous and Sadian may prove the best outsiders.