North Yorkshire stables, usually without a representative in the Vodafone Derby, are responsible for a remarkable three of tomorrow's 12 runners.

Middleham trainer Mark Johnston launches a double-edged assault with Bandari and Fight Your Corner, while Norton-based Andy Turnell will saddle his first Derby runner in Jelani (pictured above).

Set to carry the colours of Helmsley owner Claire Hollowood, whose husband Dr John Hollowood is the owner of Highfield stables, where Turnell is based, Jelani has been aimed at the Derby since the start of the season.

A first-time out winner as a juvenile, and runner-up in his other two races last season, Jelani made his reappearance in last month's Convergent Dante Stakes at York and finished a respectable fifth to Moon Ballad on ground which was considered faster than ideal for him.

Tomorrow's expected easier going will suit the colt, but he remains a rank outsider with the bookies, some of whom have priced him as high as 150-1.

In the saddle will be Fergal Lynch, who lives at Harrogate, and who will be having his first Derby mount.

Both of the Johnston runners won Derby trials last month, and both have since been sold to Arab owners and supplemented for the big race at a cost of £90,000 each.

Lingfield winner Bandari will be partnered by Richard Hills, retained jockey of new owner Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, while Kevin Darley will be aboard Fight Your Corner, gritty winner of the Chester Vase.

Sheriff Hutton-based Darley will be having his fifth mount in the Derby, and his best chance yet of figuring in the frame, which he has yet to achieve.

Updated: 11:23 Friday, June 07, 2002