Kentucky Derby: Ryan Moore reckons Mendelssohn can run a big race in the Kentucky Derby today

RYAN MOORE is hopeful Mendelssohn has the tools required to make history in the Kentucky Derby on Saturday night.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt is bidding to become the first horse trained outside of America to win the famous Churchill Downs race, but he has stronger credentials than many of the previous challengers.

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Mendelssohn has already experienced success in America, albeit on turf at last year's Breeders' Cup meeting

and he has proved his effectiveness on dirt when running out a dominant 18-length winner of the UAE Derby.

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The Ballydoyle colt has reportedly settled in well at the track.

"Mendelssohn certainly has the talent to run a big race in Saturday's Kentucky Derby," Moore told his Betfair blog.

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"He is a Grade 1 winner in America, he comes here on the back of a runaway Grade 2 win on dirt at Meydan in a track-record time, he has plenty of experience and tactical speed, he has the pedigree being a Scat Daddy half-brother to Beholder, and he has been trained specifically for the race.

"Will that be good enough? I don't know is the honest answer, and not for one moment do we think this is going to be straightforward, though that is stating the obvious."

Mendelssohn is the