Balding backs Bonfire to keep his cool at Epsom

Winner of the Dante at York, so often the key trial for the blue riband race, some were concerned about his exuberant antics on the way to the start that day. However, those who know him best believe there is nothing malicious about his character and a couple of sessions with event rider Dan Jocelyn have helped him enormously.

"We're just hoping for a good run," Balding said.

"Obviously the word coming about Camelot is that he can't be beaten so we can't get too excited, but as long as he runs a decent race he'll be thereabouts. I think it's the same for all of them (at Epsom). Nothing worries the horse -- he's playful, but he's not a worrier, as such.

"There's going to be a lot going on on Saturday and it will be a challenge for all of us, not just him. Dan Jocelyn has had a couple of sessions on him which I think has really helped the horse mentally."

Main Sequence is David Lanigan's first Derby runner and the Upper Lambourn trainer is looking forward to saddling the Aldebaran colt, who stretched his unbeaten record to four in the Betfred Derby Trial at Lingfield.

"Everything's fine. He's come out of his race well," he said. "He's never been the most flamboyant worker. He's pretty straightforward."