Richard Hannon's Agent on Derby mission for Queen

If the bookmakers are right, we may as well hand next month's Derby to an Irish-trained runner now.

The apparent monopoly of Irish horses in the Epsom Classic on 6 June means Stan James is offering 6-1 that there will be a British winner.

After the main trials, the paucity of home-grown contenders is such that the first five in the betting are trained in Ireland, with Fame And Glory and Sea The Stars vying for favouritism.

There is a possibility of a Royal rescue act - albeit a slim one - as the Queen's unbeaten colt, Free Agent, is on target for Wednesday's final Derby trial at Goodwood. Having missed his intended trial in the Dee Stakes at Chester with a bruised foot, trainer Richard Hannon bypassed the Dante at York last week.

Free Agent, who won the Chesham Stakes last season to give the Queen her first juvenile winner at Royal Ascot in 51 years, is a 33-1 chance for the Classic.

Wednesday's Listed Crooked Hat Stakes is hopefully a stepping stone to Epsom and Hannon said: "I felt this was an easier option than the Dante. Free Agent's mother, Film Script, won the Lingfield Oaks Trial and was a real mile-and-a-half type, but this colt has plenty of speed, so we'll see what happens."

Meanwhile, Harbinger, one of Britain's leading hopes of denying the Irish, is set to miss the Epsom Classic.

Sir Michael Stoute wants the colt, who was an impressive three-length winner of a Chester maiden this month, to run at Royal Ascot rather than in the Derby.