TORNADO ALERT (3.30) is fancied to kick up a storm at huge each-way odds in the £1.5million Betfred Derby at Epsom this afternoon.

First run in 1780, the 246th renewal honours the late Aga Khan IV, who saw Shergar win by a record ten lengths in 1981 and Shahrastani (1986), Kahyasi (1988), Sinndar (2000) and Harzand (2016) carry his famous colours to victory.

Unlike many editions of modern times, today's 19-runner line-up lacks a standout candidate, with Aidan O'Brien's dual Leopardstown trial winner Delacroix and 2,000 Guineas hero Ruling Court jostling for favouritism.

The pair command respect, however neither look absolutely certain to stay the 1m 4f and there are value bets lurking among the big field.

Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court crossed the line at Newmarket four-and-a-half lengths ahead of fourth-placed Godolphin ownermate Tornado Alert.

Before one of the best races to test Derby credentials, Tornado Alert had made just two all-weather appearances at Lingfield and Newcastle.

The half-brother to Just Fine, winner of the 2023 Group One Metropolitan Handicap in Australia over today's distance, had a massive task on the figures.

But after racing keenly for Silvestre De Sousa, Tornado Alert did best of the prominent runners and was keeping on again at the finish behind speedier types.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor, who claimed Derby glory with Lammtarra 30 years ago, has booked four-time champion jockey Oisin Murphy to ride.

Expected to sharpen up on the fitness front, middle distances should suit the Too Darn Hot homebred, setting out at generous odds of 33-1 with several High Street firms.

Atop the market, Delacroix is the Ballydoyle number one, after Ryan Moore chose the impressive Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial Stakes winner over Dante disappointment The Lion In Winter.

Moore's mount hit the line strongly, but it is worth noting that contest was run at a slow pace for quite some way - and he was briefly unbalanced when landing the Ballysax from reopposing Lambourn. That does not bode well for the undulations on the Downs and he might find a few too good.

A bigger danger to longshot Tornado Alert could come from twice-raced Pride Of Arras, saddled by Ralph Beckett.

Despite starting at double-figure odds, the inexpensive New Bay colt hammered his Dante opponents and rates an exciting prospect.

The Scout's Betfred Derby 1-2-3 prediction: 1. Tornado Alert 2. Pride Of Arras 3. Delacroix