REFUSE TO BEND, winner of the Sagitta 2,000 Guineas can complete an outstanding Classic double at Epsom tomorrow by following up in the £1,470,000 million Vodafone Derby.

The three-year-old, trained by Dermot Weld and the mount of Pat Smullen, will be bidding to become the fourth consecutive Irish-based winner of Europe's most prestigious race.

Unbeaten in four starts, Refuse To Bend has never raced beyond a mile, but those closest to him have every confidence that this son of Sadlers Wells possesses the required stamina for this 12 furlongs acid test.

A laid back individual, whose temperament will stand him in excellent stead on the big day, Refuse To Bend is strongly fancied to emerge triumphant and provide Weld and Smullen with their first Derby triumph.

Jockey Johnny Murtagh, winner of two of the last three Derbys on High Chaparral and Galileo, probably poses the biggest threat to Refuse To Bend aboard Alamshar.

Trained by John Ox, who won the 2000 renewal with Sinndar, Alamshar overcame a training setback to win the Leopardstown Derby Trial which, amazingly, has proved a significant and successful stepping stone for the last three Derby heroes.

Expected to improve for this step-up to a mile and a half, Alamshar is fancied to prove superior to the four runners saddled by Aidan O'Brien in his bid to win his third consecutive Derby, following High Chaparral last year and Galileo in 2001.

The best of O'Brien's quartet this time is expected to be Brian Boru, the chosen mount of stable jockey Mick Kinane, but there may not be much to choose between himself and his stablemate and I marginally prefer Alberto Giacometti.

Of the British challenge, Magistretti, winner of the Dante Stakes at York last month and the mount once again of Sheriff Hutton-based Kevin Darley, must come into the equation, along with Dutch Gold and Chris Kris Kin, both winners of trial races at Chester.

But I quite like the claims, too, of Norse Dancer, who finished less than a length behind Refuse To Bend in the 2,000 Guineas.

Tomorrow's tips:

EPSOM

1.40 Anani, 2.10 Parkview Love, 2.40 Gateman, 3.10 Dubaian Gift, 4.00 Refuse To Bend, 4.45 Muhareb, 5.20 Halmahera.

DONCASTER

1.50 Amused, 2.20 Kaparolo, 2.50 Bayadere, 3.25 Smart Predator, 4.20 Danesmead, 4.50 Profiteer.

HAYDOCK

(televised races)

1.35 Selective, 2.05 Proud Boast (Nap), 2.35 Rahaf.

Tomorrow's other race meeting is at Worcester.

Updated: 12:36 Friday, June 06, 2003