GOLDEN HORN, who showcased his talents at York last month when winning the Betfred Dante Stakes, can prove his worth as a top-class racehorse by winning the Investec Derby at Epsom today.

In doing so, Frankie Dettori's mount is expected to confirm his superiority over Jack Hobbs and Elm Park, the two horses who chased him home on Knavesmire in a race that annually provides huge clues to the outcome of the premier Classic.

Golden Horn is unbeaten in three starts and consequently is open to further improvement yet. There was no lack of style associated to his Dante Stakes when he had almost three lengths to spare over Jack Hobbs at the line.

There is a school of thought among some observers that he may not relish stepping up to a mile and half, but there was nothing in his York performance, or the way he galloped straight through the line, that suggested an extra furlong and a half would catch him out.

Jack Hobbs has made extraordinary progress in a short space of time. He won a maiden at Wolverhampton on his debut in September and preceded his Dante effort by winning in handicap company at Sandown where he spread-eagled his rivals. There is more to come from him and he represents a big danger to Golden Horn, who is likewise trained by John Gosden.

Elm Park, winner of last season's Racing Post Trophy, has work to do if he is turn the tables on the Gosden stablemates. Aidan O'Brien, who has dominated the Derby in recent years, does not appear to have quite as strong a hand this time, but does have three representatives. Giovanni Canaletto is the one chosen by Ryan Moore, but there may not be much between him and the other Ballydoyle runners, Hans Holbein and Kilimanjaro.

Success Days is the winner of all his three races this season and is a rock-solid horse, while from France a note should be Epicurius, trained by Criquette Head-Maarek, who completed an unblemished hat-trick last season and who should be all the better for his comeback outing last month.

Elsewhere on the Epsom card, a note should be made of the promising STRAVAGANTE (2.00), who finished distant third to Jack Hobbs at Sandown, Goodwood winner NELSPRUIT (2.35) and DOLNIYA (3.10), who is selected to confirm the superiority she showed over Flintshire in the Sheema Classic at Meydan in March. These two French raiders could dominate the Coronation Cup, the main supporting race.

Neither Paul Hanagan and James Doyle, employed by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum and Godolphin respectively, are required at Epsom on Derby day, which is an eye-opener itself and proof that no matter how much money you invest in bloodstock there is still no guarantee of having the best horses.

Hanagan teams-up with his former boss Richard Fahey and is fancied to land the Ladbrokes Classified Stakes on ABBEY ANGEL.

This race is confined to horses with a maximum rating of 90 and Abbey Angel is up to the hilt and also receives a 3lb allowance. She should go well on her reappearance and is awarded the nap vote.

Doyle has been booked to ride the Hugo Palmer newcomer HAWKSMOOR in the opening Ladbrokes Maiden Fillies' Stakes. His presence on this well-bred juvenile looks significant.

Graham Lee can land a double on the Town Moor card aboard IGIDER (3.05) and the speedy THESME (4.15), trained by Nigel Tinkler.

Epsom

2.00 Stravagante, 2.35 Nelspruit, 3.10 Dolniya, 3.45 Perfect Muse, 4.30 Golden Horn, 5.15 Black Shadow

5.50 Pearl Blue

Doncaster

1.55 Hawksmoor, 2-30 Braes Of Lochalsh, 3.05 Igider, 3.40 Abbey Angel (NAP), 4.15 Thesme, 5.10 Khelman,

5.40 Dagher