Authorized, who showed star quality at York last month, can confirm himself the real deal by winning the Derby at Epsom tomorrow.

A worthy red-hot favourite for the Vodafone-sponsored showpiece, the Peter Chapple-Hyam-trained colt will be bidding to provide Frankie Dettori with his elusive first Derby victory after 14 previously unsuccessful attempts.

Dettori will probably never have a better chance of capturing Britain's most prestigious Flat race. The credentials of Authorized look rock-solid, the three-year-old having won the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Newbury as a juvenile and made an impressive comeback on Knavesmire last month when winning the Dante Stakes.

With Dettori in the saddle, Authorized won by four lengths in the style of a top-notch colt in a race which has produced two Derby winners, North Light and Motivator, in the last three years.

On pedigree, Authorized should have no trouble staying the Derby distance of a mile and a half and his ability to act on soft ground is proven. He looks to have ticks in all the right boxes.

The Irish challenge is solely masterminded by Aidan O'Brien, who is seeking his third Derby success. The maestro from Ballydoyle saddles no fewer than eight runners, and, if the bookies are to be believed, his best chances rest with Archipenko, impressive winner of the Leopardstown Derby Trial and Soldier Of Fortune, winner of the Chester Vase.

Eagle Mountain also comes firmly into the equation, having finished a staying-on fifth in the 2,000 Guineas, while Anton Chekhov, already the winner of a Group 2 race this year in France, and Admiralofthefleet, winner of Chester's Dee Stakes, are hardly in the field to make up the numbers.

Marcus Tregoning, successful 12 months ago with Sir Percy, is strongly represented by Aqaleem, who earned his place in the line-up when running out a decisive winner of the Lingfield Derby Trial.

Sir Michael Stoute, trainer of four Derby winners, relies on Arabian Gulf to make it five. If you fancy Solider Of Fortune, then you must respect Arabian Gulf, who was only a short-head behind the O'Brien horse in the Chester Vase, admittedly when in receipt of 5lb. The pair meet on levels this time, but there should be little to choose between them again.

If there is a surprise result, it could be provided by Lucarno, winner of a Newbury maiden in April, and impressive since in a Listed race at Newmarket. He may find a Derby test coming too soon in his fledgling career, but he could be anything and John Gosden's colt represents a teasing each-way wager at around 20-1.

Authorized, though, appears to hold all the aces tomorrow and he is taken to provide the ultra-popular Frankie Dettori with a Derby triumph to savour.


Tom's Derby selections

1. Authorized
2. Archipenko
3. Eagle Mountain