Motivator's the one to inspire

There are 12 days to go before Epsom comes alive for the most famous Flat race in the world - the Derby. The trials are done and dusted, but who is going to win?

MOTIVATOR (Trainer: Michael Bell. Current odds: 5-2)
He won't stay, he won't handle fast ground, he won't cope with the track and his temperament is unlikely to stand up to the hoopla of Derby day. That's what some pundits have said about the current favourite. However, he remains an unbeaten Group 1 winner and won the Dante Stakes at York with plenty to spare. He settled well at York, so he should give himself every chance of staying, and the price on Betfair looks very fair.

Strength: Far more pace and acceleration than nearly all his rivals.

Weakness: Fast ground and the last furlong could pose problems.

DUBAWI (Saeed Bin Suroor. 5-1)
Brilliant Dubai Millennium colt who is right back in the Epsom picture after his commanding Irish 2,000 Guineas win on Saturday. Travelled like a dream there and settled things swiftly from two out, though again showed the kink in his make-up by drifting badly off a true line. Bred to stay 10 furlongs, though not necessarily 12, and his resurgence gives jockey Frankie Dettori renewed hope of landing his first Derby.

Strength: Capable of a striking turn of foot when on song.

Weakness: Erratic off the bridle and sire flopped in the Derby.

GYPSY KING (Aidan O'Brien. 5-1)
There are some twitchy Betfair clients around who layed this colt at up to 130-1 on the back of adverse rumours. Are they right to be reaching for the brown trousers? Definitely? Will they be paying up? Probably not. He did extremely well to win Chester's Dee Stakes but took ages to grasp what was required and the form is short of Derby standard. Strength: Certain to relish the step up to a mile and a half.

Weakness: Epsom is no place for slow learners.

GRAND CENTRAL (O'Brien. 10-1)
He was gambled on once the rumours about Gypsy King surfaced and has held his price even after the worries about his stablemate were dismissed. Clearly works like a very good horse at home, and still very lightly raced, but finished a length behind Fracas at Leopardstown last time. He still has something to prove, not least his stamina.

Strength: Market continues to speak well for him.

Weakness: Yet to justify his reputation in public.

FRACAS (David Wachman. 14-1)
Twelve years have passed since a horse who failed to see a racecourse as a two-year-old won the Derby. Fracas bids to buck the trend on the back of three impressive wins and has knuckled down willingly to win Derby trials at Sandown and Leopardstown recently.