York report: Authorized treated York to a scintillating display in the totesport Dante Stakes to propel himself further clear at the head of the market for the Vodafone Derby. Last year's Racing Post Trophy winner is now the clear 6 to 4 favourite with Coral, totesport and Ladbrokes.
William Hill are as short as 11 to 8 and Cashmans and VC Bet a standout 7 to 4.
His trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam sent out Dr Devious to plunder the Epsom Classic in 1992 and the Newmarket handler is brimming with confidence regarding his son of Montjeu.
The 10 to 11 favourite travelled supremely well throughout the key trial and was still hard on the bit as the race began in earnest three furlongs out. Frankie Dettori guided him to the head of affairs inside the final furlong and only had to ride him hands and heels in the closing stages to take the Group Two contest by four lengths from Raincoat.
Authorized, owned by the Kuwaiti businessmen Saleh Al Homaizi and Imad Al Sagar, will now attempt to follow in the hoofprints of North Light in 2004 and Motivator 12 months later by going on to collect on the Epsom Downs.
Chapple-Hyam said: "I have always said that he is probably the best horse I have trained and I don't go back on that - he just has so much class. He will improve from today to Epsom; there are no worries about that. He can do most things. He is very easy to ride, he doesn't get too stirred up. But he was a bit fresh and I was a bit worried about that, but he is a no-problem horse.
"It is more relief than excitement to win here. I had to walk away in the final two furlongs as I thought he couldn't win that easily, but I am very excited now.
"This is even better second time round. I appreciate it a bit more."
Coral rate Newmarket winner Salford Mill as the favourite's main danger on June 2nd, and Chapple-Hyam added: "All his rivals look good, solid horses but he has a touch of class, which is why we missed the Guineas and I am glad I did. Firm ground at Epsom might be a problem but good to firm will be fine - he acts on most grounds."
Clearing up who would ride in the Derby should Dettori be claimed by Godolphin, the trainer said: "I am sure we will get a jockey but Jimmy Fortune will ride if Frankie can't."
Dettori is still chasing an elusive first win in the premier Classic and confirmed he would ride for Godolphin should they field a runner in the race. He said: "If Godolphin have a runner then I will ride for Godolphin because that is my stable. They employ me and I want to ride for them but the Derby is two weeks away and we will have to see what happens in the meantime. I couldn't be more pleased. Sometimes when they cruise they don't find much, but he found plenty."
Asked whether Authorized would handle the extra distance and undulations in the Derby, he added: "We'll find out, but he's definitely got the class to cope with all that, so it's fingers crossed now."
The John Gosden-trained Raincoat is not in the Derby at this stage but connections will think of supplementing him.
