North Light, winner of the Dante Stakes at York last month, can follow-up in the ultimate prize at Epsom on Saturday - the £1.25m Vodafone Derby.

Sir Michael Stoute's colt will again be partnered by Kieren Fallon, the same trainer and jockey having won last year's Derby with Kris Kin.

North Light produced a rock-solid performance on Knavesmire. Gliding to the front approaching the straight with more than four furlongs to run, he quickened the tempo approaching the final quarter-mile and had more in hand at the line of runner-up Rule of Law than the half-length margin might suggest.

Considering that North Light was having only his third career start in the Dante, there is every reason to believe that he is open to further improvement. And, given his stamina-laden pedigree, he should relish tomorrow's step-up to a mile and a half.

The longer distance is not nearly as sure to prove beneficial to the favourite Snow Ridge, who advertised his claims when staying on well into second place behind Haafhd in the 2,000 Guineas.

Classic form is hard to knock, but, talented colt though Snow Ridge is, he has another half-mile to travel now and he may be outstayed by North Light in a race in which there is no hiding place for horses with doubtful stamina.

Let The Lion Roar, only third behind North Light and Rule of Law in the Dante, is expected to prove a stronger rival tomorrow, equipped as he is with a visor for the first time. John Dunlop's colt will again have the assistance of Mick Kinane.

Despite his impressive form figures, American Post was a very fortunate winner of last month's French 2,000 Guineas and he is another who has stamina to prove. His upright galloping action may not be conducive to the twists and turns of Epsom.

Sheriff Hutton jockey Kevin Darley should enjoy a good ride from Percussionist, winner of both his races this season, including the Lingfield Derby Trial.

John Gosden's colt will need to keep a straighter course tomorrow - he hung quite markedly to his right at Lingfield - but if he does everything , it is not difficult to see him providing Darley with a prominent showing.

Aidan O'Brien, forced to withdraw ante-post favourite Yeats because of a muscle problem, now relies on Meath, but Jamie Spencer's mount does not look in the same league as his stablemate.

Sir Alex Ferguson's hopes will be carried by a horse he part-owns, Gatwick, who has been in cracking form in handicaps. He is a supplementary entry for this race, along with Hazyview, who has also been running well in lesser company.

If there is a dark horse in the field, the likelihood is that Pukka could fit the bill. Although this Newbury handicap winner has plenty to find on form, he has no stamina doubts, he's a progressive performer and he's trained by Luca Cumani, who has trained two Derby winners, and is not a man tempted to tilt at windmills without good cause.

Pukka could well sneak into the frame at a big price, but the major honours are expected to go to North Light, who is napped to provide Sir Michael Stoute and Kieren Fallon with their second successive Derby triumph.

Saturday's tips:

Epsom

2.00 Mystical Girl, 2.30 Royal Island, 3.00 Leporello, 3.30 Corridor Creeper, 4.20 North Light (Nap), 5.05 Trust Rule, 5.40 Prince Aaron.

Doncaster

1.50 Roman Mistress, 2.20 Night Sight, 2.50 Bayeux, 3.25 Efidium, 4.00 Space Shuttle, 4.40 Shibumi.

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Haydock, Newmarket, Perth and Worcester.

Updated: 12:13 Friday, June 04, 2004