THE ODDS-ON favourite Camelot is the undoubted number one Ballydoyle hope for the Investec Derby in eight days time but the unbeaten Guineas winner could be backed up in force at Epsom.

Aidan O’Brien yesterday nominated the quartet of Astrology, Imperial Monarch, Tower Rock and Father Of Science as others among his hugely-powerful string that could take the Derby route.

His 19-year-old son Joseph will be on board Camelot who will try and emulate Sea The Stars and Nashwan by completing the Guineas-Derby double in modern times.

“Camelot was always a special horse from day one,” O’Brien snr said yesterday. “The Guineas was his first big test. He is very relaxed and very straightforward but very calm.”

It is 10 years since O’Brien completed back-to-back Derby victories with High Chaparral and Galileo. He holds a major hand in next week’s Oaks with Maybe heading the ante-post market and Kissed also prominent.