Irish Derby: Timeform's runner-by-runner guide

1. Anthony Van Dyck (Aidan O'Brien/Ryan Moore)
Produced some smart form as a two-year-old, and build on his effort to win the Lingfield Derby Trial on reappearance in May to produce a career-best effort to win the Derby itself last time out, producing a storming run up the rail to land the spoils by half a length from Madhmoon. The different tests posed by the Curragh means that rival will be hopeful of turning the tables, but he had something in hand at the line and there's a strong chance he can follow up.

2. Broome (Aidan O'Brien/Donnacha O'Brien)
Has returned an improved model as a three-year-old so far this term, and acquitted himself well on his first try over a mile and a half when fourth behind Anthony Van Dyck and Madhmoon in the Derby last time, beaten only half a length. The sweeping move he made round the outside into the straight perhaps ended his chances that day, though he could well need those two to falter to take this.

3. Guaranteed (Jim Bolger/Kevin Manning)
A smart performer who produced a career-best effort to win a listed contest over a mile and a quarter here last time, though he was seen to better effect than the second and the third that day, and faces a tough task now back at the top level.

4. Il Paradiso (Aidan O'Brien/W.M Lordan)
Lightly-raced runner, who didn't need to improve to get off the mark at the fourth attempt when winning a maiden on reappearance at Leopardstown over this trip last month. He remains with potential, but this is far tougher and he looks a long way down his yard's pecking order on jockey bookings.

5. Madhmoon (Kevin Prendergast/Chris Hayes)
Acquitted himself particularly well to finish second in the Derby on just his fifth start last time out, taking the step up to a mile and a half in his stride. He was just outpointed by a stronger stayer in Anthony Van Dyck on the day, however, beaten half a length with that rival looking value for extra, and there's no obvious reason to think that he will be able to reverse that form here.

6. Norway (Aidan O'Brien/Seamie Heffernan)
Ran with plenty of credit to finish ninth in the Derby considering that he formed part of the pace-setting team, but he was a disappointing ninth in the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot last time out, and as such has a bit to find with the principals.

7. Rakan (Dermot Weld/Jim Crowley)
Lightly-raced type, who won a listed contest over this trip on his most recent start at Leopardstown earlier this month. He didn't need to improve to pick that particular contest up, but there could be more to come from him yet for all that his owner has a much more obvious candidate for this in the shape of Madhmoon.

8. Sovereign (Aidan O'Brien/P.B Beggy)
Proved to be an admirable pacemaker at Epsom last month, running about as well as could be expected and only backing out of things inside the final three furlongs, but he has plenty to find on form and could be set for a similar assignment here.