Authorized Team Raring To Go

Connections of Authorized believe the Vodafone Derby hotpot has the right credentials to become the first odds-on shot to score since Shergar 26 years ago.

Last year's 25-1 winner of the Racing Post Trophy made a sensational reappearance in the Dante Stakes, which was won by North Light (2004) and Motivator (2005) before they went on to Epsom glory.

Authorized, trained by Peter Chapple-Hyam, has done everything right since his York success two weeks ago.

'He's in good form. The trainer is very, very happy with him and we are looking forward to it,' said Tony Nerses, racing manager to owners Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar.

'Peter thinks he's the best horse he has ever trained.

'The ground should not be a problem. In fact Peter thinks the better the ground the better the horse. If it dries up, Peter thinks it will be better for him.

'He won in a bog at Newbury but Peter thinks on better ground he will be a better horse. He's that sort of horse and his class showed at Newbury.

'We are all excited. You don't get many good chance of winning the Derby especially with a horse of his calibre and class. You don't find this sort of horse so easily.'

Authorized's jockey Frankie Dettori has failed in 14 attempts to ride the Derby winner, but despite his dismal record, bookmakers fear the Italian.

Tote spokesman Damian Walker said: 'Frankie fever has got us in a right sweat. It's a one-horse race as far as the punters are concerned.'

Marcus Tregoning's runner Aqaleem was a head in front of Authorized when runner-up to Teslin at Newbury last September and booked his ticket to Epsom with victory in the Lingfield Derby Trial.

'He's had a good preparation and his work has been excellent so I'm hopeful that he will run like it,' said Tregoning.

'He should have plenty of improvement left in him but you might say the same about the favourite as they have only run three times.'

Michael Bell won the Derby with Motivator two years ago and has high hopes of a big run from Sandown Classic Trial winner Regime.

'He's in good form. Everything's gone well in the run-up to the race and we're looking forward to it,' said Bell.

Paul Cole, who struck gold with Generous in 1991, will make a late decision on whether to run Strategic Prince.

The Whatcombe trainer is worried about the ground being too soft for the Sheikh Ahmad Shah-owned colt, who was eighth to Cockney Rebel in the 2000 Guineas on his reappearance.

'The horse is going there on Saturday. I will have a discussion with His Highness and we'll make a decision,' said Cole.

'My gut feeling is that the ground could be a little bit tacky and it is certainly going to be soft despite the drying winds.'

Three-times Derby winning jockey Johnny Murtagh is on Eagle Mountain, one of eight Aidan O'Brien runners.

'He's a nice horse. He ran very well in the Guineas and I'm looking forward to riding him in the Derby,' said Murtagh.

'He was only beaten a few lengths behind Authorized in the Racing Post Trophy so it wasn't as bad a run as some people made out ? I certainly wouldn't be blaming the ground.'

The field has been reduced to 18 runners following the withdrawal of Arabian Gulf, who has an infection in one of his joints.

Vodafone Derby

Totesport bet: 4-5 Authorized, 8-1 Aqaleem, 9-1 Archipenko, 14-1 Eagle Mountain, 16-1 Soldier Of Fortune, 18-1 Admiralofthelfeet, Regime, 22-1 Salford Mill, Strategic Prince, 25-1 Lucarno, 28-1 bar.

(C) PA Sport