MOTIVATOR, brilliant winner of the Vodafone Derby at Epsom last month, is taken to maintain his unbeaten record in the Coral-Eclipse Stakes (3.15) at Sandown Park today.

Impressive in both his starts as a juvenile, Motivator looked to have inherited some of the quirks of his sire, Montjeu, when making a winning reappearance in the Dante Stakes at York, hanging right as he quickened clear of his rivals.

He looked a more mature performer at Epsom, travelling with ease before destroying the opposition with an exhilarating turn of foot entering the final quarter-mile, beating Walk In The Park by five lengths.

The drop back to ten furlongs today should pose no problem, and while there remains a slight concern over his temperament — he could easily become upset in the preliminaries, particularly as there is a lengthy walk from the paddock to the course here — Motivator looks the best Derby winner for many years and it will be disappointing if he is beaten.

While the race has lost some of its interest with the defection of Shamardal, there will still be stiff opposition from the Australian import, Starcraft. He looked in need of the run on his debut for Luca Cumani in the Queen Anne Stakes at York 18 days ago, but still shaped with plenty of promise when staying on to finish third behind Valixir and Rakti.

That effort was all the better considering that he was hampered turning for home, as a result giving a head start to two classy rivals on a track which favoured those that raced up with the pace. With this longer trip in his favour, Starcraft is a worthy opponent.

Oratorio was a well-beaten tenth behind Motivator in the Derby and it is hard to see him reversing the form, while Diamond Green was a fair second in group three company on his reappearance but is probably better over a mile. More interesting is the Italian raider, Altieri, twice a group one winner in his native country, including on his reappearance.

The Laurent-Perrier Champagne Sprint Stakes (2.05) can go to Orientor for the second year running. He found the firm ground against him in two starts at York last month, but had previously shown smart form when beaten a short-head over this course and distance by Celtic Mill. He can reverse that form on 6lb better terms.

Momtic, an impressive winner at Epsom last month, can follow up in the totescoop6 Heritage Handicap (2.35). He has been raised just 8lb for a five-length success there and looks decent value at the 13-2 offered by Ladbrokes.

The best bet of the day is Sky Crusader in the Astute Electronics Handicap (4.50). He put up a cracking performance when fourth to Mostashaar in the Britannia Handicap at York last month, just failing to last home over that mile trip. Well drawn and back to seven furlongs, he looks sure to go close.

At Haydock, Vaughan can land the Bet365 Old Newton Cup (2.50). A good winner at Newmarket on his penultimate start, he missed the break at York last time and, in the circumstances, was a good fifth to Notable Guest. He looks a fair bet at 9-1 with William Hill.