Dante an option for White Birch before Derby

Assistant trainer George Murphy says the Ballysax Stakes winner is in 'super shape' and that Epsom is 'the definite aim'

DERBY HOPEFUL: White Birch powered home late to cause a 22-1 upset in the Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown and his journey to Epsom could take in a trip to York. Picture: Healy Racing 

White Birch remains on target for a tilt at the Betfred Derby and may run in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York next week before taking on the unique Epsom challenge on June 3.

Trainer John Murphy opted not to steer Chantal Regalado-Gonzalez’s son of Ulysses towards last Sunday’s Derby Trial at Leopardstown but the stable star’s credibility as a contender for the mile-and-a-half Classic was by no means dented as Up And Under, beaten by a half-length in the Ballysax Stakes at the beginning of April, finished second from off the pace to Jessica Harrington’s impressive winner Sprewell.