With an Irish stranglehold firmly fastened around the forthcoming Epsom Derby, William Hill have priced up an Irish 1-2-3 in the 1m4f Classic and offer odds of 5-4 that the feat is achieved on the first Saturday in June.

British-trained runners fill just three of the top twelve places in the betting for the Derby, with 16-1 chance Kite Wood currently rating the cream of the crop after his 2-length fifth in the Dante earlier this week.

William Hill’s odds of 1/6 about an Irish Derby winner reflect the power of Ireland’s squad for this year’s Derby, whilst Ballydoyle trained Aidan O’Brien is a 1/3 chance to saddle the Epsom Classic winner.

Kate Miller, spokeswoman for Hills, said: ‘’The dominance of the Irish in this year’s Derby is unprecedented, with strength and depth for throughout the field. Britain’s top-three contenders feature a horse who finished outside the placings on his last start, and two others who can only boast wins in Chester and Lingfield maidens. An Irish win looks unstoppable, and a 1-2-3 also looks a likely outcome.’’

Investec Derby odds at Hills: 9-4 Fame And Glory, 3-1 Sea The Stars, 8-1 Black Bear Island, 9-1 Gan Amhras, 10-1 Freemantle, Rip Van Winkle, 16-1 Kite Wood, 20-1 Age Of Aquarius, Harbinger, Masterofthehorse, Mourayan, Sans Frontieres, 25-1 Byzantine, Indian Ocean Jukebox Jury (doubtful), Native Ruler, Taameer, Vocalised, 33-1 Debussy, Desert Creek, Father Time,  Free Agent, Glass Harmonium, den Sword, Montaff, Vitruvian Man 40-1 bar (EW ¼ 1,2,3)