CROWDED HOUSE bids to book his place in the Investec Derby in tomorrow’s totesport.com Dante Stakes at York.

Brian Meehan’s colt, who won the Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last season, will face nine rivals in what has become one of the most informative Derby trials in recent years.

Meehan’s three-year-old is a best-priced 6-1 third favourite with Skybet for the Epsom Classic, but Meehan is hopeful he can justify his status as market leader in tomorrow’s contest on the Knavesmire after he completed his final work on Monday.

Meehan said: “Crowded House had a nice breeze and he continues to please us in his build-up. He remains on course for the Dante and we are really looking forward to the race. The Derby is shaping up into a very good race this year. Crowded House has always had the Derby as his target and we will see how he gets on.”

Aidan O’Brien already has the Derby favourite in Fame And Glory, one of three horses who have won a trial for the Epsom Derby for the Ballydoyle stable in the past week.

Fame And Glory, a best-priced 3-1 with Ladbrokes, landed the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial in impressive fashion, while O’Brien’s Golden Sword, and Age Of Aquarius won at Chester and Lingfield respectively. The Irish trainer is unleashing two other Epsom possibles in Freemantle and Black Bear Island tomorrow, with both horses available at 25-1 for the Derby.