Alan Munro, the former York-based jockey, who turned his back on racing for four years before returning this season, can crown his comeback with a sensational win in tomorrow's Vodafone Derby.

Munro teams-up with Walk In The Park, trained in France by John Hammond, and a horse capable of exposing any weaknesses in the armoury of Motivator, Gypsy King and Dubawi, who dominate the betting in this £1.25million showpiece.

In a race which lends itself to an upset, Walk In The Park, generously priced at 12-1, could be the horse to provide it - and also provide Munro with a fairytale success, 14 years after he won the Derby on Generous.

That victory came after he had been snapped-up to ride as first-jockey to Prince Fahd Salman, a job which elevated Munro to the top level after he had launched his career as a successful apprentice with Warthill trainer Mel Brittain.

Munro went on to scale major heights for several seasons in Hong Kong, but then suddenly quit the saddle and embarked on a four-year sabbatical, during which time he studied martial arts.

Walk In The Park was beaten in his prep race for the Derby in the Lingfield Trial won by Kong, but the margin of defeat was only a neck and that race was run at a crawl, which failed to suit this keen-going colt.

A progressive juvenile last season, Walk In The Park has precious few stamina doubts. Admittedly, he will need to raise his game further to win, but then that is why he is a 12-1 chance. The potential, though, is there, and he holds a solid chance of coming out on top.

The unbeaten Motivator bids to follow in the hoofprints of North Light, who won last year's Derby after landing the Dante Stakes at York.

Michael Bell's colt, who had The Geezer back in second last month on Knavesmire, is clearly very talented. But he is also very highly-strung and the whole Derby occasion could well scupper his chances before he has even entered the stalls. Kieren Fallon, bidding for his fourth Derby win, and his third in a row, teams-up with Gyspy King, who is second-favourite and is Fallon's choice of Aidan O'Brien's four runners in the race.

The worry concerning Frankie Dettori's mount Dubawi is whether he'll stay the mile-and-a-half. Successful in the Irish 2,000 Guineas over a mile, this speedy individual hardly looks tailor-made for a stamina test.

All in all, this Derby poses a lot of unanswered questions. But, if you're looking for a value-bet, then nap selection Walk In The Park promises to provide the right answer - and also provide Alan Munro with a dream-come-true triumph.

Twelve months on, Settrington trainer John Quinn is hoping that lightning can strike in the same place twice at Epsom.

Quinn saddles last year's winner Caribbean Coral in the £75,000 Vodafone 'Dash' and this smart sprinter is fancied to come up trumps yet again.

In the Vodafone Handicap, Quinn saddles Crow Wood, who finished a close-up third in the Zetland Gold Cup at Redcar earlier this week.

Also watch out for David Nicholls' Gift Horse, an excellent third at York last month, in the Vodafone Sprint Handicap.

At Haydock, Dr Sharp (2-35), trained at Hazelwood near Tadcaster by Tom Tate, can make up for his disappointing Chester Cup effort.

Tomorrow's tips

Epsom: 2-00 Evolution Ex, 2-30 Tous Les Deux, 3-00 Brunel, 3-30 Caribbean Coral, 4-20 Walk In The Park (NAP), 5-05 Crow Wood, 5-40 Gift Horse

Doncaster: 2-20 Feed The Meter, 2-50 Persian Majesty, 3-20 True Magic, 3-55 King Alfie, 4-40 Law Breaker, 5-15 John Robie

Haydock: 2-05 Come On Jonny, 2-35 Dr Sharp, 3-05 Ruby Rocket, 3-40 Sunrise Safari, 4-10 Goodbye Mr Bond, 4-45 Adoration

Tomorrow's other meetings are at Worcester, Chepstow, and Lingfield.

Updated: 11:16 Friday, June 03, 2005