There were no surprises when the five-day entries for the Epsom Derby were unveiled earlier in the week and a maximum of 17 three-year-olds will go to post for, arguably, the most famous flat race in the world.

Back in 1953 Coronation year the Queen’s colours were carried into second place when Aureole finished 4 lengths behind Pinza in one of the most famous of renewals of the great race.

The 1953 Derby is remembered for the fact that the recently-knighted 26-time Champion jockey and sporting icon of his time Sir Gordon Richards rode the winner at his 28th attempt.

At the time the Queen was reported to be delighted for the diminutive Richards.

Fifty-eight years on and Her Majesty has the chance to put the record straight courtesy of the lightly-raced Carlton House who is currently 7/4 for the premier classic with victorchandler.com.

A winner of two of his three careers starts Carlton House shot to Derby favouritism with a smooth success in the Dante Stakes at York last month.

He is not absolutely guaranteed to stay a mile-and-a-half on his breeding and it would be a concern if he pulled as hard in the early stages as he did on the Knavesmire.

There was a scare with the colt earlier in the week and, at the time of writing, his participation in Saturday’s classic is not yet confirmed although connections remain optimistic he will take his chance.

There has not been a French winner of the race since 1976 but Pour Moi has been the big mover in recent days following his spin at Epsom last week which suggested he was a well-balanced individual who would not be inconvenienced by the track.

Whether he is good enough is a totally different matter but the money has come for the Andre Fabre trained colt.

It would be great for the sport if Her Majesty won the Derby with Carlton House.

Back in 1953 Blackpool won the FA Cup Final beating Bolton 4-3 and on the penultimate weekend of the Premier League season last month the Tangerines beat their Lancashire neighbours 4-3 at Bloomfield Road. Coincidence?

Let’s hope the Queen can go one better.

Investec Derby: prices from victorchandler.com

Carlton House 7/4

Pour Moi 10/3

Recital 4/1

Seville 6/1

Native Khan 9/1

12s Bar

The Woodcote Stakes has been won by some decent sorts in recent years and North Star Boy (2.10) will improve for the step up to 6f for the first time having won his maiden at the second time of asking at Ascot last time.

Rio De La Plata won his last couple of starts last term, but the older horses in the Godolphin stable have tended to need their seasonal reappearance and veteran Premio Loco (2.40) has been as good as ever this term for Chris Wall and in receipt of 7lbs can land the Gp 3 Diomed Stakes.

Not for the first time John Dunlop’s Berling (4.50) swerved across the track and threw away any chance he had at Newmarket last time. He is not yet guaranteed a run in the 4.50 but if he makes the cut he remains potentially well-handicapped for a stable who remain in excellent form.

If he hangs across the course as he did at Newmarket you wouldn’t want to be on his inside, but it is possible that the undulations and idiosyncrasies of Epsom will suit this quirky but talented grey and he should go close.

For all your sporting odds this classic weekend check out victorchandler.com