Authorized was a brilliant winner of the Derby last month and can become the first horse since Nashwan in 1989 to follow up in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (3.15) at Sandown Park today.

Much has been made of the fact that Motivator, who was similarly impressive in the blue riband, was beaten by Oratorio when long odds-on in this race two years ago. The big difference between the two, however, is that Motivator had to contend with much firmer ground here after winning on well watered going at Epsom. Guaranteed his favoured cut in the ground, Authorized has no such concerns and is hard to oppose.

The other negative regarding the prospects of Authorized is the idea that Derby winners struggle to win this clash of the generations. That is based on too small a sample to carry any weight, however, as only three – Erhaab, Benny The Dip and Motivator – have tried since 1989.

Authorized was awesome at Epsom. Frankie Dettori was looking over his shoulder for dangers as far from home as Tattenham Corner and when Authorized was asked to put his seal on the race in the final quarter-mile the response was electric. The five-length winning margin probably underestimates his superiority, while the form has already been boosted both by the fifth, Soldier Of Fortune, landing the Irish Derby, and eleventh-placed Mahler’s success at Royal Ascot.

Peter Chapple-Hyam, the trainer of Authorized, believes his recent homework has been comparable to his build-up to Epsom and, if in the same sort of form, it is hard to see him being beaten.

While Authorized will be ideally suited by conditions, the same cannot be said of his main market rival, George Washington. He made a pleasing enough return to action when a close fourth to Ramonti in the Queen Anne Stakes at Royal Ascot but his best form has come on a faster surface, while he seemed not to stay on his only previous attempt at this trip in the Breeders’ Cup Classic.

O’Brien saddles half the field, but his three other runners were all well behind Authorized at Epsom and it is hard to see them reversing the form. Notnowcato, a dual group one winner, rates the main danger. Runner-up to David Junior in this 12 months ago, he showed an excellent attitude to beat Dylan Thomas at the Curragh in May and would have found the ground faster than ideal when a fair third to Manduro in the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot last time.

Reverence makes his reappearance in the Laurent-Perrier Champagne Sprint Stakes (2.05), but may need the run after nine months off and preference is for Hoh Mike. He quickened up well to win over course and distance on his penultimate start and should be forgiven a below-par effort at Newcastle last time as conditions were barely raceable. A progressive three-year-old, he can show his elders the way home.

Mutanaseb, unbeaten in two starts this term, can take the totescoop6 Heritage Handicap (2.35). He opened his account on the all-weather at Kempton and then put up a smart performance over seven furlongs here last time when beating Endiamo. Strong at the finish then, he should appreciate this extra furlong.

The Addleshaw Goddard Stakes (3.45) looks tricky, with Guarantia taken to cause an upset. She was beaten just over two lengths when third to Selinka in this grade at Newmarket on her final start last season, but should be far more effective now that her stamina is tested more fully and can reverse the form on 3lb better terms.

The best bet of the day is The Grey Berry in the Hall Building Services Handicap (3.55) at Beverley. He has been much-improved since stepping up to a mile this year and showed a good attitude to collar Celtic Change in the closing stages at Newmarket last time. A 5lb rise for that is lenient.

— Sunday best Harbour Blues (2.30 Brighton)