Punters taken with Tobougg

Tobougg has been well backed today to make Frankie Dettori`s dream come true and give the Italian an elusive first Derby victory in tomorrow`s Vodafone-sponsored Classic at Epsom.

Bookmakers the Tote have laid the Godolphin colt to lose Stg£50,000 and they now go 14-1 from 20-1.

The Italian has had eight Derby rides so far and came closest to landing the coveted prize in 1995 when Tamure finished a one-length second to Lammtarra.

Tobougg was one of Europe`s top juveniles last year, winning the Prix de la Salamandre and Dewhurst Stakes for Mick Channon.

But he finished only ninth in the Sagitta 2000 Guineas at Newmarket last month on his debut for Godolphin.

'Tobougg has got great form from last year,' Dettori told the BBC. 'Obviously we had the big flop in the Guineas - the horse ran very flat.

'He seems to be in very good spirits now but there are two question marks, basically the distance and is he going to be good enough to win the Derby?

'Obviously I`m dreaming and I hope that he is good enough and it seems a very open Derby so I`m keeping my fingers crossed.

'The Derby has eluded me for so many years. It does carry that peculiar atmosphere and nervousness.

'It`s going to be very exciting tomorrow and it will be a dream come true if I win.'

Galileo, who continues to press Golan for favouritism, received a boost when stable companion Imagine won today`s Vodafone Oaks.

And trainer Aidan O`Brien revealed he has been happy with Galileo in the build-up to tomorrow`s Stg£1million contest.

He said: The horse is very well. He`s done everything we`ve asked. His preparation has gone well.'

Big-race hopes Chancellor and Mr Combustible pleased trainer Barry Hills in an eve-of-race workout on the track.

The pair cantered the full mile and a half of the Classic course under big-race jockeys Richard Quinn and Richard Hills respectively, with Mr Combustible setting off around a furlong in front and maintaining that gap to the end.

Hills, who also saddles Perfect Sunday and Storming Home in Saturday`s race, wanted to give the colts experience of racing down a hill into a bend.

'It was not a gallop, they just came to stretch their legs and have a look at the track, as I have done with some of my runners in the past, though not with all of them,' Hills said afterwards.

'I was happy with them.'

His son Richard was pleased with how Mr Combustible handled the tricky, switchback track.

'We had a good look at the track and gave him a feel of Tattenham Corner, so now it`s fingers crossed that we can beat the other 11 tomorrow,' he said.

Quinn said of Chancellor: 'He seems on very good terms with himself. He went well and took to the track well. I am looking forward to tomorrow.'

Sandown Classic Trial winner Chancellor is an 18-1 chance for the Derby with Ladbrokes, who rate Chester Vase scorer Mr Combustible a 20-1 shot.

The same firm offer 6-1 about Perfect Sunday and 14-1 Storming Home in a race their trainer has yet to win, despite saddling the runner-up four times.

Irish permit holder Luke Comer is expecting an improved performance from his outsider Cashel Bay, who has disappointed on his last two outings.

He said: 'Cashel Bay has got to improve a hell of a lot on his last two runs and I think he can do that.

'We didn`t know he`d had a virus until a blood test showed it. I would expect a much better run tomorrow.'

Vodafone Derby betting:

The Tote; 9-4 Golan, 5-2 Galileo, 10-3 Dilshaan, 6-1 Perfect Sunday, 12-1 Putra Sandhurst, 14-1 Storming Home, Tobougg, 25-1 Chancellor, Mr Combustible, 100-1 Sunny Glenn, 200-1 King Carew, 250-1 Cashel Bay.

William Hill: 9-4 Golan, Galileo, 7-2 Dilshaan, 6-1 Perfect Sunday, 12-1 Putra Sandhurst, 14-1 Storming Home, 18-1 Tobougg, 20-1 Chancellor, 25-1 Mr Combustible, 150-1 Sunny Glenn, 200-1 King Carew, 300-1 Cashel Bay.