Stoute ready to take wraps off Derby hope Desert Crown

Emily Upjohn, who made a huge impression on her reappearance at Sandown last month, tests her classic credentials at York today. See story below. Picture: John Walton/PA Wire

Michael Stoute insists Desert Crown is “not a spectacular homeworker” ahead of his highly-anticipated reappearance in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York tomorrow.

The master of Freemason Lodge has saddled six previous winners of the recognised Derby trial, with both Shahrastani (1986) and North Light (2004) going on to claim Epsom glory. Desert Crown, who has so far only won a minor maiden event at Nottingham, has been a huge mover in the ante-post market for the premier Classic in recent weeks and is now a best priced 6-1.