I can't help thinking there is something missing from today's Investec Derby. Is it because it's the smallest field since 1907? Or, is it that the hot favourite Camelot is that far clear of his rivals?

However, it is impossible to oppose Camelot who should give Aiden O'Brien his third win in the prestigious race after his successes with Galileo in 2001 and High Chaparral 12 months later.

Only nine face the starter for the race, and Camelot was a champion juvenile following a truly breathtaking performance in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last season before taking the 2000 Guineas this year under the trainers' son Joseph, who once again takes the ride.

Camelot, son of the legendry Montjeu, now bids to follow in the hoofprints of Sea The Stars, who completed the Guineas-Derby double in 2009, but O'Brien acknowledges it is not a straightforward task.

"We are under no illusions with the Derby. We had two very special horses in High Chaparral and Galileo and have not won it since," said the trainer.

"The race is a very difficult test of a horse. There cannot be any chink in their armour and everything has to go right on the day. We are delighted to get there with horses with chances."

O'Brien admits Camelot has always been held in high regard, even before he began working as a two-year-old.

"With Camelot I suppose it was always one race at a time,'' he added. "We really hope we put him to different tests and he is able to pass them.

"He always has been a very special horse, from the time he was born, and we are very lucky to have him.

"For the future of the breed, they have to sit the exams and do the big tests. Everyone said (a son of) Montjeu had never won a Guineas, it was a big ask for him and history is very hard to change but we are very lucky that he sat it (the exam) and passed it.

"History and stats aren't here for no reason and that what makes him very unique - that he went in there and performed."

Camelot is not the only O'Brien-trained runner in the field, with Dee Stakes victor Astrology a horse with major place claims at least in the hands of Ryan Moore.

Major place claims because his Chester win was solid, nowhere near as good as Camelot's, but there are question marks over the rest of the field.

Many people are putting up Bonfire as a danger to the favourite after his win in the Dante success at York, and yes he is a fine horse but not a patch on Camelot and I worry about his temperament on the big day.

In short, I'm struggling to workout out if Camelot's rivals are a below par bunch, or is he an exceptional Colt? I suspect both. I think he will go off odds on come race time and I truly expect him to come home in front, with ease.