In a wide open renewal of the Vodafone Derby it could pay to take a chance with Kris Kin - a colt who is not even entered - to give Newmarket trainer Sir Michael Stoute his third victory in the great race.

Stoute has won the blue riband in the past with the mighty Shergar in 1981 and with Shahrastani five years later and although, Kris Kin would appear not to be in the same league as those former Freemason Lodge stars at this stage of his career, he is nevertheless clearly very useful.

After getting jarred up last summer, the striking chestnut son of Kris S made his belated debut at Newmarket in October, finishing in mid-division behind stable companion Desert Star but he made no mistake three weeks later at Doncaster, showing plenty of promise to beat Presenter by two and a half lengths.

Kris Kin reappeared in the Group Three Dee Stakes and he showed vastly-improved form to beat Big Bad Bob and Private Charter by two lengths and three in the extended 10-furlong contest.

Squeezed out at the start and held up last in a race not run at a breakneck gallop, he was the first to be ridden, but impressed with the way he made up ground to race in touch off the home turn.

He was the only runner in the field to show a turn of foot, quickening to lead inside the final furlong.

Kris Kin has continued to progress since his success on the Roodee and owner Saeed Suhail has decided to pay the £90,000 fee to supplement him on Monday for the premier Classic a decision not taken lightly as Stoute explained: "It was tough for the owner as it's a lot of money.

"He took the view that he would prefer to have one in the Epsom Derby. The French Derby, although numerically weak, has some good colts."

Sagitta 2000 Guineas third Norse Dancer and Victor Chandler Chester Vase winner Dutch Gold are also due to be added to the field, which will boost the value of the Derby to £1,470,000 making it the richest race ever run in Europe.

Stoute gave his Derby hope a day out at his local track on Friday.

Kris Kin walked around the Rowley Mile parade ring between the second and third races in a bid to get him more accustomed to a racecourse situation.

Stoute said: "He relaxed very well. I let the jockey ride him round here because up at Doncaster on his second two-year-old start and at Chester when the jockey got on him he just fretted a bit and got a bit toey. But I was happy with him.

"He doesn't do a lot at home and doesn't show us too much, but Chester was pleasing.

"We haven't done too much with him. He's a clean-winded horse, light-framed and seems well in himself. We haven't asked him too many questions."

Oath took the Dee Stakes in 1999 before going on to Derby glory and Kris Kin can follow suit in the hands of Kieren Fallon, the successful jockey four years ago.

Stoute, Suhail and Fallon missed out in 2000 when their leading fancy King's Best was ruled out of the Derby at the 11th hour.

But Kris Kin can put the record straight in Saturday's race and repay the owner's bold move to fork out the supplementary fee with a handsome dividend.

He will relish the mile and a half on Saturday and has the ideal build to handle Epsom's unique undulations.

Kris Kin is well worth an interest at a top-priced 16-1 in the 224th running of the Derby.

Stoute has nominated Refuse To Bend as a big danger.

The unbeaten Dermot Weld-trained colt will be attempting to become the first horse since the brilliant Nashwan to complete the 2000 Guineas-Derby double.

But - and there is a big but - Refuse To Bend has been the subject of negative vibes since he failed to sparkle in a gallop on Friday morning.

After the exercise Weld said: "He had a nice, brisk workout over nine furlongs with three stable companions. He worked satisfactorily and I'm satisfied he's forward enough to go to Epsom.

"You wouldn't be over-excited but knowing the horse, I'm satisfied with his progress.

"He's never impressive in his work as he is laid back. He finished in front but he only wins his races narrowly and it's the same with his work.

"Hopefully all goes well over the next eight days. He'll have another spin on Tuesday morning, but I wouldn't want the ground too fast at Epsom."

Hardly a ringing endorsement for a horse who is about to take on some of the best middle-distance three-year-olds in Europe.

Bigger threats to the selection may come from Aidan O'Brien's powerful Ballydoyle yard and the team of trainer John Oxx, owner the Aga Khan and jockey Johnny Murtagh associated with Sinndar's famous Derby triumph three years ago.

O'Brien will be out to carve his own piece of racing history on Saturday by becoming the first trainer to saddle three consecutive Derby winners following wins from Galileo and High Chaparral.

However, his representatives this year appear to lack the class of his two previous Derby heroes.

Brian Boru, the choice of stable jockey Michael Kinane, looks the pick but he was beaten by two Derby rivals Alamshar and stable companion The Great Gatsby on his reappearance at Leopardstown.

Last season's Racing Post Trophy winner has recently been reported to be burning up the Ballydoyle gallops and he should reverse placings with The Great Gatsby but there is no guarantee he will get the better of Alamshar.

Oxx's Alamshar has beaten Brian Boru twice and there appears no reason why he should not do so again.

Alamshar has improved since Leopardstown and worked "nicely" at the Curragh on Friday as he continued his Derby preparation.

He is a general 4-1 chance for the race, having landed the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial - a race also won by Sinndar - last time out after an interrupted preparation.

"The horse worked nicely over a mile with a few companions at the Curragh," Oxx said.

"Everything went according to plan and he'll do a bit again on Tuesday morning, but not as fast as he went today."

Oxx is hoping the weather stays dry for his challenger.

"The faster the ground the better," he said. "It would suit Alamshar, and mightn't help the Sadler's Wells colts, but soft ground blunts his turn of foot."

Those looking for a lively outsider could do worse than have a little each way at 50-1 on the Barry Hills-trained Dunhill Star.

He finished a staying-on third to Magistretti in the Tote Dante at York last time and after four races he should now be getting the hang of things.

Hills has saddled the runner-up in the Derby four times and will be hoping the improving Dunhill Star breaks his duck on Saturday.

But in conclusion it has to be Kris Kin, who gets the nod ahead of Alamshar and Brian Boru.