Aidan O’Brien is in a very good place to add to his excellent records in both the Oaks and the Derby at Epsom this week.

Following the runaway wins of Love and Serpentine 12 months ago, O’Brien has eight wins in both classics and has the top two in the market for both races again this year.

Bolshoi Ballet, impressive in the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, is favourite for the Derby and will likely be ridden by stable jockey Ryan Moore, with Frankie Dettori also likely to join the Ballydoyle roster for the race, possibly on second favourite High Definition.

At the moment everything has gone very smooth and well with his preparation whereas High Definition’s preparation was a little bit interrupted

“Bolshoi [Ballet] has won the two most important trials here in Ireland,” O’Brien told Racing TV earlier this week.

“Then I suppose High Definition went and ran a very good race in the Dante.

“But I suppose it would be very hard for Ryan [Moore] to overlook Bolshoi Ballet.

“At the moment everything has gone very smooth and well with his preparation whereas High Definition’s preparation was a little bit interrupted.”

The main opposition to the pair, according to the market, will be supplied by O’Brien’s old master Jim Bolger, who has an intriguing proposition in Mac Swiney.

The son of 2008 Derby winner New Approach, also trained by Bolger, is taking the same route to the race as his sire did, having taken in the Irish 2000 Guineas just last week.

Best of the British

Best of the British charges looks to be Ed Dunlop’s John Leeper and William Haggas’ Mohaafeth. Dunlop has won the Oaks twice but never the Derby, while this year it will be 25 years since Shaamit emerged best at Epsom, giving the then up-and-coming Haggas his first and only win in the race.

Santa Barbara and Snowfall lead the way for O’Brien in the Oaks on Friday. Santa Barbara was the subject of significant hype before her run to finish fourth in the 1000 Guineas, which was a big effort considering it was just her second ever start. Snowfall won the Musidora, a usually strong trial at York, and significantly had both Teona and Noon Star, likely to oppose her again on Friday, well beaten on the day.

On the pair, O’Brien said: “We had to get Santa Barbara out in the Guineas and she probably learned more there than she would have in five other races. We were delighted with that run and it was always the plan to come to Epsom.

“We thought the world of Snowfall last season and we were obviously delighted with what she did at York. She was always uncomplicated and professional.”