A pub has revealed the name of the horse it thinks will appear on its mystical wishing well, which every year predicts which horse will win the Derby.

Since the mid-19th century the name of a contender has been found scrawled in chalk on a wishing well outside the Amato pub before the iconic race.

At 2.30pm today, an employee at the Amato pub in Chalk Lane, Epsom, told this newspaper that Zawraq’s name is set to appear on the wishing well.

Zawraq, the son of Shamardal, is among the leading fancies for the Derby and is 6-1 at Ladbrokes.

But the Racing Post today reported that he has faced a setback after a cut on his fore made him limp slightly.

Your Local Guardian:

The wishing well last year

Last year the wishing well predicted that Epsom-born Kingston Hill would win the Derby, but he actually came second in the historic race.

The wishing well’s pick came sixth in 2012 and third in 2011, but back in 2009 the winning horse was correctly identified for the eighth time in the preceding 12 years.