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BIG DECISION

Investec Derby 2017 – Ryan Moore yet to decide which of Aidan O’Brien’s runners he will ride in Saturday’s Derby

O'Brien currently has seven horses left in contention for the Classic and Moore is expected to make his decision on Thursday when the final declarations come out

Ryan Moore

AIDAN O'BRIEN expects Ryan Moore to leave it late before deciding on his ride in the Investec Derby at Epsom on Saturday.

O'Brien currently has seven horses in contention for this year 's renewal.

Dee Stakes winner Cliffs Of Moher, is disputing favouritism with some bookmakers.

 Cliffs Of Moher won the Dee Stakes
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Cliffs Of Moher won the Dee StakesCredit: PA

O'Brien can also call upon Chester Vase one-two-three Venice Beach, Wings Of Eagles and The Anvil, as well as the first and third from the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial, Douglas Macarthur and Capri.

Completing the trainer's team is outsider Finn McCool.

 Douglas Macarthur (right) and Capri (centre) are still in contention
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Douglas Macarthur (right) and Capri (centre) are still in contentionCredit: PA

O'Brien said: "We've seven left in and they all seem to be well at the moment.

"The three from the Chester Vase are very strong possibles and the horse that won the Dee Stakes and the two from Leopardstown.

"Ryan doesn't have to make up his mind until Thursday morning. We'll go through all the horses and everything will be discussed. I wouldn't say anything is written in stone yet.

"The two horses from Leopardstown, Douglas Macarthur and Capri, ran a very good race in the Derrinstown and that's a very good trial.

 Ryan Moore will face a tough decision
Ryan Moore will face a tough decisionCredit: Sportsfile

"The three horses that ran in the Chester Vase all ran great races, we thought, and we were very happy with the horse in Dee Stakes."

With O'Brien's seven amongst 20 possible runners, tactics could prove key, but O'Brien plans to leave that to his jockeys.

"The lads will sort that out themselves," he said.

"Epsom is a tough track, there's a lot of twists and turns and ups and downs and it is the Derby."

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