Not since Empery scored under Lester Piggott in 1976 has a French-trained horse managed to win the Derby.

But the classy Visindar can end that 30-year drought by carrying off the Vodafone-sponsored showpiece at Epsom tomorrow.

Trained by France's perennial champion Andre Fabre, who has never disguised his admiration for this handsome and unbeaten three-year-old, Visindar will be ridden by Christophe Soumillion (pictured below) wearing the familiar colours of the Aga Khan.

Indeed, Visindar is a son of the Aga Khan's Sinndar, winner of the Derby in 2000.

An easy winner of his only outing as a juvenile, Visindar has won both his races this season in the style of a horse with top-notch potential and, although critics will remind you that he has beaten nothing of note, which is true, his style is unmistakable.

It is anyone's guess just how good Visindar is. Fabre, significantly, believes him to very good, which, coming from a man who trains Hurricane Run, last year's Irish Derby and Arc winner, speaks volumes.

Fabre, who has never won the Epsom Derby, is also represented by Linda's Lad, the mount of Frankie Dettori. This Lingfield Derby Trial winner, a sure stayer, has a chance of figuring in the money.

Kieren Fallon, rider of three Derby winners, has chosen Horatio Nelson out of Aidan O'Brien's four runners in the line-up.

Although he was one of last season's leading juveniles, Horatio Nelson was well held in the 2,000 Guineas and although he can be expected to improve over this extra half-mile, he still has something to prove in his second season.

O'Brien's quartet also includes Septimus, decisive winner of the Dante Stakes at York last month. But the fact that the ground on Knavesmire was so testing places a question mark over the validity of that form. And Fallon's decision to desert him now hardly speaks in favour of Septimus.

York-based Robert Winston has his first Derby mount aboard Sir Michael Stoute's Papal Bull, winner of the Chester Vase.

Much-improved this season, Papal Bull promises to give Winston a good ride, though he may lack the class to be involved in the finish.

Winston, though, will be well briefed tonight by nine-times Derby hero Lester Piggott on how best to ride the course.

Sir Percy, a cracking two-year-old, ran a blinder to finish second to George Washington in the 2,000 Guineas, but he was on the sidelines after that race and, although he has reportedly done well since, it is asking a lot to expect him to win a Derby.

Hala Bek is my idea of the best outsider. Priced at around 14-1, the Michael Jarvis-trained colt ran away with a maiden race on his only start. A minor setback denied him the chance of running in the Dante, but that may prove to be in his favour, given that a tough race on the Knavesmire gluepot might have set him back. Although Hala Bek lacks experience, he could still reach a place.

The only North Yorkshire runner is Mark Johnston's Atlantic Waves, who showed his guts and ability when winning at Newmarket on his reappearance. He could run well, but the in-and-out form of Johnston's horses is of some concern.

How Tom O'Ryan sees the finish of tomorrow's Vodafone Derby:

1 Visindar.

2 Hala Bek.

3 Sir Percy.