With the 232nd Epsom Derby just days away, preparations for the world’s greatest flat race are well under way with over 100,000 people expected to descend on Epsom Racecourse this weekend.

The competition starts on Friday with the Investec Oaks and Investec Coronation Cup and Ladies Day and with guests arriving in their finery to battle it out as best dressed in the Style on the Downs competition.

Judges on the panel will include British model Erin O’Connor, official milliner Louis Mariette and designer Felicity Brown with the winner enjoying a luxurious weekend for two at the Hotel Verta in London plus £1,000 to spend online at clothes shop, Question Air.

On Saturday the fastest three year old colts and fillies from around the world will once again square up to take part in the historic race run over a distance of one mile, four furlongs and ten yards.

With a £1,250,000 prize the Epsom Derby is Britain’s richest race with the winner expected to go on to command up to £40,000,000 in stud fees. Her Majesty, the Queen will be hoping for a winner with her own royal racehorse, Carlton House, currently tipped as the favourite with 11/8 odds to win at William Hill.

And if predictions at the Amato Pub in Epsom, named after the 1838 derby winner, are anything to go by the Queen could be in with a winner.

A mystery tipster has written the winner of the derby in chalk every year since the mid-19th century, correct 8 times in the last 12 years, with Carlton House appearing scrawled in chalk on Monday morning.

The three year old colt will be ridden by last year’s winning jockey Ryan Moore, and if victorious will give the Queen her first-ever win in the race.

This year will also mark 30 years since racehorse Shergar won the Derby in 1981 by a record 10-lengths, shortly before he was mysteriously kidnapped and never found. The event involves a huge, but well practised, police operation to ensure people’s safety and keep traffic flowing.

Epsom Inspector, Craig Knight said: “We have a detailed plan put in place months before the Derby which includes increased patrols and staffing around the Derby and town centre including traffic management and other criminal behaviour which may be associated with the derby.”

“We will see an increase of town centre incidents but we plan for that because there will be a lot of people coming into Epsom.

“Emergency calls will go on unabated.

“It’s a very well managed and rehearsed plan.”

Rupert Trevelyan, managing director of Epsom Downs racecourse said: “I am immensely excited for the race and proud to be part of an event watched by a nation, all backing Her Majesty.”

"While tickets for the Queen’s Stand on Ladies Day have already sold out, tickets are still available but are selling fast."

For more information and tickets call 0844 848 0197 or visit epsomdowns.co.uk