I’m not sure we’ve sent one to the Derby with as much ability – Aidan O’Brien on City Of Troy

And that is exactly what Aidan O’Brien will be hoping happens with City Of Troy in tomorrow’s Derby.

Even if, as he insists, O’Brien does not dwell on the past, the memories of Auguste Rodin must still be fresh in his mind from 12 months ago. He was a different type of two-year-old with a very different pedigree. More stoutly bred, being by Japanese star Deep Impact, and not as precocious, winning the Futurity Trophy over a mile in heavy ground in the October of his first season.

Yet he went off the favourite for the English 2,000 Guineas but never recovered from being short of room coming out of the stalls, finishing 12th of 14.

O’Brien’s faith in his colt never wavered and we all know what happened next. He turned up at Epsom and provided O’Brien with a ninth win in the blue riband, though not a huge surprise given the general consensus was the Derby trip was always going to be the making of him.

That is the biggest difference between the two stablemates, as City Of Troy looked sure to be better suited by eight furlongs on the Rowley Mile than 12 furlongs around Epsom. ​

“We just accepted that all these things just happened and went wrong on the day and we’ve decided to stay with the plan,” says O’Brien.

“He’s done nothing since to make us change the plan. The plan was always to start with the Guineas and go to the Derby and then go wherever after that.

“I’d always say if something doesn’t work I might not have done my homework right. Obviously, when he goes down to the start he should be relaxed but he wasn’t, he was flustered and his mind just wasn’t in the right place.

“For us, I’m not sure we’ve ever sent a horse to the Derby with as much ability as this. If we can get him to come out of those gates and everything to work properly, then we can have him in the right place.”

Described as “our Frankel” after winning the Dewhurst last year, even Triple Crown dreams looked realistic. That those hopes have been crushed before stamina even came into the equation must hit hard.

Nevertheless, O’Brien has never had any doubts about him staying the Derby trip: “I never thought any trip was a problem for him. You’re never sure until you do it, he has a big, long stride and he’s usually very chilled and relaxed but it will be a very interesting race.”

The Ballydoyle maestro runs three in the race with Ryan Moore on the 7/2 favourite, Wayne Lordan aboard Los Angeles and Declan McDonogh partnering Euphoric. David Egan has the leg-up on the Adrian Murray-trained Dallas Star.

The challenge to the O’Brien team is spearheaded by the Charlie Appleby-trained Ancient Wisdom, a Group One-winning juvenile which had to settle for third in the Dante at York on his return to action.

Lingfield Derby Trial winner Ambiente Friendly is another leading home-trained hope for James Fanshawe, with Roger Teal’s French 2,000 Guineas second Dancing Gemini, Sandown Classic Trial second Macduff and Blue Riband Trial winner Bellum Justum also in the mix.

The Murray-trained Dallas Star, shock winner of the Ballysax Stakes and the mount of David Egan, is one of two runners for owners Amo Racing along with Mr Hampstead, which makes his first start for Dominic Ffrench Davis having been out of luck in three previous runs for Roger Varian.

Deira Mile, God’s Window, Kamboo, Sayedaty Sadaty, the supplemented Tabletalk and Voyage complete the line-up, with Prix du Jockey Club-bound Diego Velazquez, Illinois, Portland and Padesha all not declared.

City Of Troy will start from stall one in his bid for Classic glory, with Los Angeles in four and Ancient Wisdom having to overcome a wider draw in 11 – a stall which has yet to produce a Derby winner.