Can Motivator prove himself to be Britain's great hope for next month's Derby?

Tomorrow on Knavesmire, Michael Bell's unbeaten colt gets his chance to advertise his Epsom claims and follow a tried and tested route to Classic glory.

Twelve months ago North Light won the Dante Stakes for Sir Michael Stoute and Kieren Fallon before going on to triumph in the Derby, and tomorrow Motivator bids to use the same totesport-sponsored event as a springboard to his prime objective.

York's soft ground should be ideal for the Newmarket raider, who showed a liking for an easy surface last year when winning his maiden race before proving himself to be a rising star with a fluent success in the Group 2 Racing Post Trophy.

His preparation this spring has, it seems, gone according to plan and has already included a visit to Epsom to canter around the unique Derby course.

Johnny Murtagh takes the mount on Motivator, who faces strong opposition from the likes of the well-regarded Proclamation and from Irish challenger Albert Hall.

Trained by Aidan O'Brien, Albert Hall was beaten two-and-a-half lengths into second place by Motivator in the Racing Post Trophy.

Interestingly, Kieren Fallon was on Motivator on that occasion and now, as new number one jockey to O'Brian, he rides Albert Hall.

The canny Fallon will be out to expose any flaws in Motivator. But hopes are high in the Bell camp that none will be found and that this exciting three-year-old can gallop firmly to the head of the Derby betting.

In the opening totesport.com Handicap, Fallon teams-up with River Falcon, winner of the corresponding race last season. Jim Goldie's gelding again has his favourite soft ground and goes into battle after a recent win at Thirsk.

Irish trainer Tom Hogan has booked Fallon to partner Rooftop Protest in the York Stayers' Handicap and this stout galloper should make a bold bid in this historic event.

Run over two and a half miles it will be the first race run at York over this extended distance and since the new bend past the stands was completed during the winter.

This race will be a dress-rehearsal for the long-distance races at next month's Royal Ascot meeting.

Many of the jockeys who are riding on Knavesmire in the afternoon will go on to Carlisle's evening meeting, among them Graham Gibbons on Nap selection Stratham in the European Breeders' Fund Maiden Stakes. Narrowly beaten by the speedy Jato at Brighton last time, Stratham is strongly fancied to go one better.

Tomorrow's tips

York

1.30 River Falcon, 2.00 Kinnaird, 2.30 Motivator, 3.00 Polar Bear, 3.35 Leo, 4.10 Rooftop Protest, 4.45 Mith Hill.

Carlisle

Selected race: 6.00 Stratham (Nap).

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Ludlow (evening, National Hunt), Perth (afternoon, National Hunt) and Salisbury (afternoon, Flat).

Updated: 11:33 Wednesday, May 11, 2005