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He is by Montjeu, who was a contemporary of Dubai Millennium and also a performer of the highest class. The two colts never met - a match-race mooted by Sheikh Mohammed was scuppered by his champion's injury - but the chips off two magnificent blocks are taking the battle to the next generation.Motivator, trained by Michael Bell in Newmarket and owned by a 230-strong up-market racing club, goes to Saturday's fray three for three. He put himself in the mix at the top with his victory in the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last year and confirmed he belonged there by taking York's Dante Stakes on his return to action.The big, feisty colt's jockey will not be known until Wednesday, when Johnny Murtagh appeals against a ban, with Darryll Holland on standby. Conversely, Kieren Fallon's mount is not yet identified from the seven Ballydoyle raiders remaining before tomorrow's penultimate declaration stage, but it is likely to be Oratorio or Gypsy King.
Oratorio won the Grand Criterium at Longchamp last year and has this year run fourth in the 2,000 Guineas and second to Dubawi at the Curragh, both solid, staying-on efforts from the son of Danehill. Gypsy King, by Sadler's Wells, maintained his unbeaten record by winning the Dee Stakes on his second outing. Fallon is going for his third consecutive Derby, a feat achieved so far only by Steve Donoghue, on Humorist, Captain Cuttle and Papyrus from 1921-23.Saturday's race looks a cracker. The victors of three of Europe's four top Group One juvenile races are in the field, plus the winners of all the recognised trials. But the Derby is a beginning, not an end, the race that lays down the marker. The standardbearer for a generation will not be identified until his pace, balance, stamina, acceleration and resolve pass muster over Epsom's switchback.
Dubawi is the one; he can realise his owner's dream and finally lay the Blue Riband ghost for Dettori at his 13th attempt.Friday's 227th Oaks can be left to Eswarah, who will be trying to keep it in the family. The Unfuwain filly is out of Midway Lady, who added the Epsom Classic to her 1,000 Guineas 19 years ago. Eswarah, who transferred from Midway Lady's trainer Ben Hanbury to Michael Jarvis during the close season, is unproven in the highest grade but her recent homework has been exceptional. Eight Oaks winners have produced daughters who followed suit, but none since Musa's girl Mirska in 1909.Montgomery's SelectionsThe Derby1 Dubawi2 Oratorio3 Motivator4 Walk In The ParkLongshot: Indigo CatThe Oaks1 Eswarah2 Cassydora3 Pictavia4 Virginia WatersLongshot: Mona Lisa. Sir Steve Redgrave, like Sinatra, may have once ignored that old adage "they never come back" and emerged an Olympic phenomenon whose record is unlikely to be emulated. You suspected that doing so again yesterday at Dorney Lake, Eton, may have been pushing the boat out once too often to judge from the extra kilos he and Matthew Pinsent were carrying as they prepared for the re-enactment of the Great Britain four's Sydney 2000 triumph.
