THERE have been 216 Derbys before this afternoon's at Epsom but never have so many reputations been on the line. In the aftermath of last year's race the course's management have had the whips out to convince all that Saturday really is best for the Blue Riband.

All 400 of the corporate boxes (£3,00 a time, food an optional extra) have gone and the projection is for a crowd of 60,000.

United Racecourses have done just about all they can do. Promotion of the race has been ubiquitous and the tested draw card of inviting celebrities has again been employed.

Meetings are already scheduled next week to discuss the return to a Wednesday Derby. This afternoon will determine whether those assemblies are back slapping exercises or crisis talks.

What organisers need most this afternoon is fine weather and a winner who provides a story to jostle with others on the sports pages. The former is guaranteed and the latter has good prospects also as this is one of the most open and eclectic Derbys for many years.

Among the better fancied horses, perhaps the least magical result would be victory for Dushyantor, whose jockey. trainer and owner have won many times before. Dushyantor is a half brother to the 1993 winner Commander In Chief, but physically is a different animal, a fine and dainty thing compared to the Commander's chunky figure. His run when second in the Dante Stakes at York last month suggested he has inherited the family ability.

Until last week, Dushyantor was a laggard on the Newmarket gallops, being regularly out shone by the likes of Shaamit and Double Leaf. While Shaamit has an immediate precedent for a horse winning the Derby on his seasonal debut, it must be remembered that 12 months ago it took an animal of Lammtarra's rare brilliance to achieve it.

Double Leaf could give a cheetah a head start on the trial grounds, but he has yet to transfer that brilliance to the racecourse.

Of the animals that contested the 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket, Alhaarth looks the best qualified as he had to wade through the softer ground up the centre of the course. The winter betting liabilities on Dick Hern's colt mean he is a bad price, though.

Even Top finished ahead of Alhaarth at Newmarket, but may have been flattered. His is the sort of breeding you usually find between two doorsteps in a Belgian delicatessen and the pedigree pundits will have smoking pistols at their temples should he succeed. On the balance of his form he should not.

More value lies with Chief Contender, who broke the course record at Salisbury last month. The colt was by no means the number one hope at Peter Chapple Hyam's Manton yard at the season's outset but he is now the only one left standing. He has already proved this journey is within his capacity and as one form line makes him a similar horse to the one time ante post favourite Dr Massini, 33-1 looks too big a price.

Chief Contender, though, has not participated in a recognised trial, unlike Glory Of Dancer who has run in two. Paul Kelleway took over the colt following the Gran Criterium at San Siro last November.

On the form of his Dante Stakes victory he has to be the choice but there are plenty who consider that he will not be suited by the track and that his stamina will not last out. Kelleway is not among them. "He'll stay the trip because he keeps a lot in the tank for himself," he says. "He never uses too much petrol on the gallops, so he hasn't worn himself out."

Neither does Kelleway, it seems, align himself with those who believe that Olivier Peslier, Glory Of Dancer's French rider, will be a weak link.