MARTIN DWYER and trainer Brian Meehan are looking to use Chester as a stepping stone to a tilt at the French Derby with Dancing David.

The Liverpool jockey will partner the Danehill Dancer colt in the Addleshaw Goddard Dee Stakes at Chester this afternoon.

After a promising juvenile campaign he returned to finish second to Elusive Pimpernel in the Craven Stakes at Newmarket last month. Connections expect another big run this afternoon on route to a possible Classic bid.

He is not entered in the Investec Derby at Epsom on June 5 so a tilt at Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly a day later is on the agenda.

Dancing David is also entered in next week’s totesport.com Dante Stakes at York, another of the traditional Epsom Derby trials, but connections have opted for today’s Group Three contest on the Roodee when he will step up to a mile and quarter for the first time.

Dwyer said: “They decided to go for the Dee Stakes rather than the Dante to give him a more time for the French Derby.

“You never really know how a horse will handle Chester until they get there, but I think he should be fine. He travels well and he is a lot stronger horse this year. He is improving horse.

“I am hoping he can win or go close at Chester and then head off for the French Derby. The French Derby is only just over a mile and two furlongs so that should be well within his compass.”

If all goes well today, Dancing David could take on his Newmarket conqueror Elusive Pimpernel after trainer John Dunlop revealed he would also head over the Channel.

And Dwyer doesn’t fear that rival. He said: “I would take be happy to take him one again as Dancing David wasn’t 100% at Newmarket. And over the extra distance and I think he could easily turn the tables on him.”

CHESTER PREDICTIONS (Day Three): 1.45pm Brae Hill 2.15pm (Dee Stakes) Dancing David 2.45pm (Ormonde Stakes) Age Of Aquarius 3.15pm Duchess Dora 3.55pm Fetching 4.30pm Lucky Numbers (NAP) 5.05pm Embsay Crag