Johnny Murtagh decides he will not overlook Jan Vermeer a third time

Johnny Murtagh will be hoping it is third time lucky when he clambers aboard the Derby favourite Jan Vermeer at Epsom on Saturday following today's widely expected announcement that he will ride the Ballydoyle yard's principal hope for Aidan O'Brien. Twice last season, in races won in good style by Jan Vermeer – a maiden event at Gowran Park in September and then the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud in November – Murtagh rode Midas Touch, who will be Colm O'Donoghue's mount this weekend. Jan Vermeer was a best-priced 2-1 with Midas Touch at 6-1 on a day when it was also confirmed that Cape Blanco, a colt whose stamina cannot be guaranteed over Epsom's mile and a half, will be switched to the French Derby at Chantilly on Sunday, which is run over a furlong and a half less. O'Brien's only other Epsom Derby runner will be the 150‑1 outsider At First Sight, with Seamie Heffernan on board. One of the most fascinating aspects of the race is the presence of Kieren Fallon on one of the Godolphin stable's hopes, Al Zir. "I was disappointed with [Al Zir] in the Guineas, but he's come back from the race very well," said his trainer, Saeed Bin Suroor. "He's the best he's ever been and if he's good enough, he'll win." Azmeel, a winner of one of the recognised Derby trials in the Dee Stakes at Chester and available at 14-1, has been one of the forgotten horses amid all the Ballydoyle ballyhoo in recent days, but John Gosden is positive about his charge's chances. "He's a progressive horse. He ran three times last year but we probably shouldn't have run him the third time," said Gosden, who trained the 1997 Derby winner, Benny The Dip. "I think the experience of running round Chester helps a horse grow up a lot and we think he has come on mentally since then. His work has been pleasing." Gosden's Chester winner, Gertrude Bell, was among a field of 15 to be confirmed for the Epsom Oaks on Friday at the final declaration stage. There were no major surprises among the entries, which included the intriguing Michael Jarvis-trained Sajjhaa. The once-raced King's Best filly has been the subject of continued support since it was announced she would run and that Frankie Dettori will on board. Dettori will not be riding for his employer, Godolphin, in the French Derby either, the mount on Simon De Montfort having been handed to Ahmed Ajtebi. Godolphin's No1 jockey will instead ride the Nicolas Clement-trained Pain Perdu – a neck second to Simon De Montfort last time out – in a bid to win the race for a fourth time.