Jimmy Fortune remains keen to play down any fears over the temperament of his Investec Derby mount Bonfire.
Andrew Balding's colt entered serious discussions for the premier Classic after his defeat of Ektihaam in last week's Dante Stakes at York, a race which is invariably a pertinent Derby trial.
There have been stories of Bonfire being difficult on the gallops and on the racecourse, and Balding is likely to ask permission to let his regular companion Ispahan go down to the start with him on Derby Day.
Asked whether the horse would withstand the busy and noisy occasion, the jockey said: "Of course he will. People have gone on about this horse's temperament.
"He is a Jack the Lad - he likes to do things his own way - but no way does he worry or get upset. He is very genuine and he is actually a very easy ride when he is going.
"I have not ridden him since York and I very rarely ride him at home - I think I have only ridden work on him three times. Leanne Masterson rides him at home.
"I think Bonfire will stay but he is not guaranteed to stay - we won't know until the day. I really like the horse of Aidan O'Brien's (Imperial Monarch) who won the Sandown Trial. He impressed me that day and I'd say he would be as big a danger as the favourite (Camelot)."
Reflecting on York, Fortune said: "I was very impressed with Bonfire in the Dante - he travelled very well - we got there far too early but I was very impressed by the way he stuck his head out. He certainly won going away."
Balding has a 100% record in Epsom Classics as his only other runner, Casual Look, won the 2003 Oaks.
He will have another Derby option in Minimise Risk, who won a Newbury maiden but finished last in the Chester Vase.
While Jamie Spencer is set to ride him in the Derby, Fortune was on board to give him a spin alongside Ispahan as part of Epsom's Breakfast With The Stars event.
"It was routine work on Minimise Risk this morning. He cantered before striding on in the last two furlongs - he'd be a fair bit behind Bonfire," Fortune said.
Aidan O'Brien was interviewed and only the hot favourite Camelot is a confirmed Derby runner at this stage.
He said of Camelot: "He has been good (since winning the Qipco 2000 Guineas) - everything is fine.
"He has been going gently and everything is well so far. I am happy with him.
"He has always been a very special horse here, from day one. He was a very short-priced favourite when he went for his maiden and then I was very happy with him in the Racing Post Trophy. His first big test was the Guineas.
"He is one of those very special horses. He is very relaxed, very straightforward and very calm but has a lot of nervous energy."
Referring to his other entries, Astrology, Imperial Monarch, Father Of Science and Tower Rock, O'Brien said: "All the others are on Derby work regimes and everything has gone well so far. They will go through all the tests next week and we will decide what to do."
Turning to the same afternoon's Diamond Jubilee Coronation Cup, O'Brien said: "Hopefully, Joseph (O'Brien) will ride St Nicholas Abbey. That is the plan anyway. He is definitely the main runner we will have there."
Jim Bolger also spoke by telephone, and remains very keen to run Parish Hall, favourite for Saturday's Abu Dhabi Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh, at Epsom.
The Teofilo colt has not been seen since winning the Dewhurst last October, having been saved for decent ground.
Bolger said: "It looks like Aidan's horse (Camelot) is the one that everybody has to beat.
"We will have some idea on Monday (whether Parish Hall will go for the Derby) but it will have had to clarify itself by Wednesday.
"We would be thinking Royal Ascot if we didn't come, it would suit his schedule, but I'm very keen to get to Epsom."
Other horses to have a spin at Epsom on the morning were Henry Candy's Derby outsider Rugged Cross and William Haggas' half-brothers Beaten Up and Harris Tweed.
The former, who drew clear in the final furlong, is being aimed for the Coronation Cup.
"Beaten Up is a talented performer and why not go for the money," said Haggas.
"That is why we went to Dubai. We wanted to give him more experience which is one of the reasons we brought him here today. He is a very powerful relentless galloper. The Coronation Cup is a very good race."
