It's 15 years since Wantage trainer Henry Candy has had an Investec Derby runner – but he’s back in the Classic picture with Rugged Cross at Epsom on Saturday.

The 67-year-old master of Kingston Warren stables came agonisingly close to glory with his first runner in Flat racing’s blue riband when Master Willie finished second to Henbit in 1980.

His last Derby runner was in 1997 when Crystal Hearted finished unplaced behind Benny The Dip.

In the intervening years, Candy has become better known for the likes of top-class sprinters Kyllachy, Airwave and Markab.

But now he has a potentially smart middle-distance horse again in Rugged Cross.

However, Candy is under no illusions about the size of the task facing his 50-1 outsider.

“Realistically he is just there for the place money,” he says. “If he could finish in the first six, it would be great.

“He has never done anything to suggest he would be in the first three in the Derby.”

Owned by Scottish-based developer Thomas Barr, Rugged Cross, a 55,000 guineas buy at Newmarket’s Tattersalls Sales, has had just three starts.

He fulfilled the promise of his debut fifth at Newbury last July by winning Britain’s most valuable juvenile maiden contest at York a month later.

A series of niggling problems meant he wasn’t seen out this season until 11 days ago when he finished a length third to Thought Worthy over a mile and a quarter at Newmarket.

“When he ran an OK race at Newmarket the other day, the last forfeit stage had been the day before, so we thought let’s leave him in and go and have a day out,” says Candy.

As his charge walks around the yard, Candy comments that he will be dwarfed by his rivals in the paddock at Epsom.

But he is hoping that what he lacks in size, he will make up for in spirit.

“He has a big heart and digs deep,” he says.

While the trainer believes the son of Cape Cross will handle Epsom’s unique turns and undulations, he is less convinced that his charge will stay a mile and a half.

“He has a fascinating pedigree,” he adds. “There are a hell of a lot of good stayers in it.

“Cape Cross, although he has had Sea The Stars and Ouija Board, is mainly an influence for speed being a Green Desert horse, and the dam (Lunda) is by Soviet Star, who is another non-staying horse.

“So you would have to have serious doubts about this horse getting one and a half miles at Derby pace.”

Candy took the opportunity to familiarise Rugged Cross with Epsom at the Breakfast With The Stars promotion last Thursday when the colt cantered round the course under his Hungerford-based jockey Dane O’Neill.

“I just wanted him to go there and associate Epsom with having a nice time,” says the trainer.