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.. “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.

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.

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. 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. 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”.

“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. “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’s best when he can do his own thing and we let him settle in front today Luckily the others left him alone. “He’s a free-going horse who doesn’t want to be pulled around,” he said.