Racing: Coshocton vindicates Jarvis' Derby hopes

The view of Michael Jarvis that the 2,000 Guineas was a race to be ignored as far as his Derby contender Coshocton was concerned was completely vindicated at Goodwood yesterday.

Ridden by Philip Robinson, the American-owned colt, at 9-1, took the final recognised Epsom dress rehearsal of the domestic programme, the Predominate Stakes, making every yard of the running and resolutely fending off all comers in the final quarter mile. His nearest pursuer, at two lengths distance, was the 2-1 favourite Dubai Destination, with Frankies Dream, at 40-1 the outsider of the field of six, a length and three-quarters third.

This particular trial has not produced a subsequent Derby winner since Troy took both races 23 years ago but if Coshocton's performance did nothing to rattle the Ballydoyle cage at the head of the market – he is judged a 25-1 shot by bookmakers – it surely put him in the must-be-considered outsider category.

In 17 days time the son of Silver Hawk, named after an Ohio town, will be only Jarvis's sixth Derby runner in his 44 years with a licence but there were no cartwheels round the unsaddling enclosure from the bespectacled master of Kremlin House at the prospect. That is not his way. The 63-year-old is one of the industry's quietest of achievers, generally allowing his charges to do the talking. Yesterday's Mr Ed, a handsome white-blazed chestnut, informed watchers that he has many of the qualities desirable in a Derby fancy: stamina enough, balance, a touch of class and a willingness to battle.

Jarvis did add one caveat. "He's a free-going horse who doesn't want to be pulled around," he said. "He's best when he can do his own thing and we let him settle in front today. Luckily the others left him alone. He did not seem to be stopping at the end and I am sure he will get the trip at Epsom." In the Guineas, Coshocton finished 15th after racing with the leaders of the group on the unfavoured stands side. "He hit the gate like a sprinter that day," added Jarvis, "he was far too fresh."

Coshocton seemed a little on edge in yesterday's preliminaries – not a good sign with the crucible of Derby day in mind – but this was only his fourth appearance in public and the view from the saddle was encouraging. "He is a very strong horse, and that has been a worry," said Robinson, "It has been quite difficult switching him off but he did it very nicely today."

Robinson rode a perfectly judged race, a performance in sharp contrast to that of weighing room colleague Richard Quinn on fifth-placed Sparkling Water. The distance of the Predominate Stakes has been switched three times, from 12 to ten furlongs in 1988 and back to the intermediate mile and three last year. At half-way Quinn headed his mount for the wrong loop of the turn into the straight, giving away ground and impetus as he corrected his blatant mistake. The stewards held an inquiry into the running of Sparkling Water and Quinn said that as he had been unable to get over to the rail and make the running, he steered a separate course "in order to keep his mount interested". The jockey's explanations were noted by the stewards who took no further action.

Jarvis, who notched his first English Classic last year with Ameerat's 1,000 Guineas, has Italian (with Morshdi) and French (with Holding Court) Derbies on his CV. And if he has yet to train an Epsom winner, at least he has a close association with one, having led up 1966 hero Charlottown when he worked for that colt's trainer Gordon Smyth.

There is a strong Derby heritage in Coshocton's ownership, too. The man whose colours he carries, John Phillips, owns Darby Dan Farm in the Kentucky bluegrass. Phillips is grandson of John Galbreath, owner of 1972 Epsom winner Roberto who, through Silver Hawk, is Coshocton's grandsire. Yesterday's performance was very much a case of mission, so far, accomplished. "This is the first horse I have trained for him," said Jarvis. "he sent Coshocton to me as a two-year-old with the aim of getting him to the Derby."

The Godolphin representative Dubai Destination, running for the first time since he beat subsequent 2,000 Guineas winner Rock Of Gibraltar at Doncaster last September, travelled well enough until lack of match-fitness told. Jamie Spencer was not hard on him and he will be left in the Derby at today's forfeit stage but though he is sure to improve for the outing remains among the 25-1 chances. "He is a very good horse," said the blues' racing manager Simon Crisford, "and we are disappointed he could not win. He has had an easy preparation but we thought his class might get him through and that we'd get away with it. We'll let the dust settle but I think if you are going to win the Derby you have to win this one." Naheef, one place in front of Coshocton in the Guineas, is still the Godolphin number one.

With Hawk Wing and High Chaparral vying for short-priced Epsom favouritism the Ballydoyle grip on the colts' Classic scene was further emphasised by yesterday's 11 declarations for the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh on Saturday. Eight of them, headed by Rock Of Gibraltar, are trained by Aidan O'Brien. The Irish 1,000 Guineas on Sunday is slightly more competitive, with only seven out of 20 from the Co Tipperary fortress.

Queen's Logic, Zenda, Gossamer, Snowfire and Alasha are among those nominated from Britain.