Nearly there. Carlton House, whose participation in tomorrow’s Investec Derby has been under a cloud most of the week, was last night looking likely to make the line-up in a bid to provide Her Majesty the Queen with her first victory in Britain’s premier Classic after more than 50 years of ownership.

Having successfully come through a four-furlong workout yesterday, Carlton House, who advertised his burgeoning prowess when winning last month’s Dante Stakes at York – traditionally the best Derby trial year on year – is fancied to deliver the goods for the Queen, trainer Sir Michael Stoute and jockey Ryan Moore, who won last year’s race with runaway winner Workforce.

Carlton House, winner of the second of his two juvenile outings, has been the long-time Derby favourite. At York, he showed tremendous promise and potential to beat Seville in a messy contest, which was run at a stop-start gallop. Given his inexperience, he did well to win as he did.

There is surely plenty more to come from Carlton House. Provided this week’s minor setback – he knocked his near-fore joint – has not affected him, the Queen’s runner is confidently expected to produce an historic outcome to the Epsom showpiece.

Kieren Fallon, having turned down the ride on Native Khan, has chosen to partner Recital for Aidan O’Brien. That decision is a tip in itself, while for pure value, French challenger Vadamar, makes appeal at around 12-1.

A fascinating race is in prospect and my verdict is: 1 Carlton House, 2 Vadamar, 3 Recital.

North Yorkshire trainers David Nicholls, Tim Easterby, Mark Johnston and Kevin Ryan can get into the act at Epsom by all saddling winners in the Derby programme’s supporting races.

Nicholls saddles St Moritz in the £50,000 Investec Diomed Stakes and his in-form five-year-old is expected to run a big race, following a York win last month which took his tally three wins from four outings this season.

Johnston runs Fulbright in the Investec Woodcote Stakes and this recent impressive Musselburgh winner has the scope to improve, especially as he now steps up to six furlongs.

Ryan, whose Catterick winner On The Dark Side is fancied to go well against Fulbright, can win the Investec Specialist Bank Handicap with Parisian Pyramid, a good third at Goodwood last time and napped to open his seasonal account.

Captain Dunne represents Easterby in the Investec Entrepreneurial ‘Dash’ over five furlongs and should make a mighty bid under David Allan.

The six-year-old ran a blinder in a Group 3 race in France last month and was only touched off in the final stride by the in-form Inxile, trained by Nicholls.

At Doncaster, a note should be made of David O’Meara’s War Poet in the Close Building Services Ltd Handicap.

This progressive four-year-old came good in handicap company at Thirsk last time out. He has been raised 8lb, but there could be more to come from him.

Windsor winner Alkimos (3.25) and Vassaria (4.30), who shaped well at Haydock on her debut, are two others worthy of respect.

Racing selections

Epsom

1.40 Boogie Shoes, 2.10 Fulbright, 2.40 St Moritz, 3.15 Captain Dunne, 4.00 Carlton House, 4.50 Bourne, 5.25 Parisian Pyramid (NAP).

Doncaster

2.20 Shamdarley, 2.50 Advanced, 3.25 Alkimoss, 3.55 War Poet, 4.30 Vassaria, 5.05 Elland Aly.

Tomorrow’s other meetings

Hexham, Lingfield, Musselburgh, Newcastle and Worcester.

Today’s meetings

Bath, Catterick, Doncaster, Epsom, Goodwood and Musselburgh.