Hawk Wing, the class act of the field, can gain rich compensation for his unlucky defeat in the 2,000 Guineas by winning tomorrow's Vodafone Derby at Epsom.

The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt will be bidding to follow in the hoofprints of Galileo, who gained a decisive victory in last year's race for the most powerful racing establishment in Europe.

The fact that Mick Kinane has chosen to ride Hawk Wing, in preference to High Chaparral, O'Brien's other runner in tomorrow's showpiece event, which carries record prize-money of £1.2m., is a tip in itself.

Hawk Wing was a hot favourite to win last month's Sagitta 2,000 Guineas, but was narrowly beaten by his stablemate Rock of Gibraltar, who has since won the Irish equivalent in a hack canter.

The Newmarket result, however, tells only half the story.

Hawk Wing raced down the unfavoured centre of the course under Jamie Spencer, while Rock of Gibraltar went down the far rail under Johnny Murtagh.

When push came to shove, Hawk Wing, not allowed the luxury of having strong pace-setters, was left with too much to do.

Although he fairly sprinted through the final furlong, he was too late to catch Rock Of Gibraltar, who had stolen a march on him.

There is a doubt over Hawk Wing's ability to stay tomorrow's extra half-mile, especially on rain-softened ground.

But Kinane clearly expects him to possess the required stamina and the logical conclusion to arrive at is that if Hawk Wing does stay, he wins.

That said, his Ballydoyle stable-companion High Chaparral probably ranks as Hawk Wing's main danger. He has been brought along the same route as last year's winner Galileo.

High Chaparral, winner of last autumn's Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster, won the same Derby trial at Leopardstown last month that was landed by Galileo and Sinndar, the last two Derby winners.

He appears to lack Hawk Wing's apparent class, but there is little doubt that he is a top-class horse and he promises to give Johnny Murtagh a cracking ride.

Mark Johnston has two solid each-way possibilities in Bandari and Fight Your Corner.

Both won recognized Derby trials, Bandari scooting home by a country mile at Lingfield and Fight Your Corner showing plenty of determination to lift the Chester Vase. Of the two, I marginally prefer Fight Your Corner, the mount of Kevin Darley.

Moon Ballad, winner of last month's Convergent Dante Stakes, may well adopt the same sort of front-running tactics tomorrow. He is a horse with a lot of natural ability and has it in him to run a decent race under Jamie Spencer.

He should again account for Ryedale hope Jelani, who was fifth in the Dante. The Andy Turnell-trained colt is entitled to improve for that outing, and will also appreciate tomorrow's easier ground, but he has a lot to do to get into the money.

Naheef, a stablemate of Moon Ballad, and the mount of Frankie Dettori, was well behind Hawk Wing in the 2,000 Guineas, as was Coshocton, though the latter has since won the Predominate Stakes at Goodwood.

Coshocton could have done without the recent rain and makes only limited appeal. Terry Mills' two runners, Where Or When (fourth in the Dante) and Frankies Dream (third to Coshocton at Goodwood) also have plenty to do.

Tholjanah lacks a race this season and Louisville, who looks the least-likely of Aidan O'Brien's three runners to hit the glory trail.

Tom O'Ryan's prediction of the finishing order in the Vodafone Derby:

1 - Hawk Wing

2 - High Chaparral

3 - Fight Your Corner

4 - Moon Ballad

Updated: 12:44 Friday, June 07, 2002