Albanov and Skelligs Rock were eliminated from the Vodafone Derby at Thursday's 48-hour final declaration stage.

That has left a maximum field of 20 to do battle in the world's greatest Classic at Epsom on Saturday.

Albanov, trained by John Dunlop and Skelligs Rock from Brendan Duke's yard, were the two unlucky ones to miss Flat racing's blue riband.

They were the lowest-rated horses among the 22 who wanted to take their chance in the £1,470,000 Group One contest over a mile and a half.

The only consolation for connections of the unfortunate pair is that their entry fee totalling just under £7,000 will be refunded.

Another two were withdrawn on Thursday. As expected, they were the Aidan O'Brien-trained Handel and Godolphin's New South Wales.

O'Brien, bidding to win the race for a record third year in a row runs four - ante-post favourite Brian Boru, Alberto Giacometti, The Great Gatsby and Balestrini.

Godolphin rely on Graikos, who will attempt to give Frankie Dettori an elusive first Derby triumph.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor is expecting a big run from the Rainbow Quest colt, who finished fifth to Magistretti in the Tote Dante Stakes at York on his seasonal debut last month.

"Graikos will appreciate the mile and a half of the Derby but he prefers softer ground.

"He has been training very well and he should run a big race," he told the Godolphin web-site.

Graikos has been drawn 13 in the 20-strong field for the 224th running of the Derby.

Of O'Brien's quartet, Alberto Giacometti will come out of stall nine, the same as the Ballydoyle trainer's winner 12 months ago, High Chaparral.

He will be ridden by the French-based Belgian rider Christophe Soumillon, who will be bidding to complete an across the Channel Derby double following his brilliant success on Dalakhani in the Prix du Jockey-Club last Sunday.

Brian Boru, the mount of stable jockey Michael Kinane is in stall two with The Great Gatsby, to be ridden by three-times Derby hero Pat Eddery, in 16, Balestrini, with Jamie Spencer in the plate, drawn 20.

Alamshar, like Dalakhani owned by the Aga Khan is in stall eight for Irish trainer John Oxx, successful with Sinndar in 2000. His rider Johnny Murtagh is seeking his third Derby win after Sinndar and High Chaparral last year.

Refuse To Bend, bidding to be the first 2000 Guineas winner to follow on at Epsom since Nashwan in 1989, is drawn fairly low in six for Irish trainer Dermot Weld and jockey Pat Smullen.

Brett Doyle takes the ride on Clive Brittain's second string Lundy's Lane, who was third in the Italian Derby on his latest start while Charles Cyzer has booked Richard Hughes for Strength 'n Honour.