ST MAWES can enhance his claims to a place in next month's Vodafone Derby field with victory in the Westminster Taxi Insurance Predominate Stakes at Goodwood today.

On his latest start, the son of 1986 Derby hero Shahrastani put up a fair effort in the Chester Vase over an extended one and a half miles. Still carrying plenty of condition, he was in touch until dropping towards the rear going down the far side.

Ridden along for all he was worth, he did stay on to lead briefly approaching the final furlong but was soon passed by the very promising High Baroque who finished a length and a quarter to the good at the line.

St Mawes appeared not to be suited by Chester's sharp circuit, but his trainer, John Dunlop, was of the opinion that the chestnut was just a slow learner. As this run was his first race around bends further improvement can be expected.

Dropping back to a mile and a quarter today, St Mawes can continue his progress and take this Listed event which is the last recognised Derby trial.

The in form stable of Gay Kelleway can continue its good run with Russian Music in the Chichester Festival Theatre Stakes. Bought out of Patrick Haslam's yard for 35,000 guineas at Doncaster sales in March, the bay gelding went some way to repaying connections when successful on his first start for his new team in a seven furlong maiden race at Lingfield.

Lynda Ramsden's Fairywings can show further improvement by taking the Angel Fillies' Handicap at Beverley. Only lightly raced so far, the daughter of Kris showed her first signs of form last time when a strong finishing half length second to Zelda Zonk over seven furlongs at Redcar.

Fairywings will be well suited by the 10 furlongs of today's race and she is a confident choice.

Sandmoor Chambray can confirm the promise shown on his reappearance by taking the David Swannell Memorial Handicap. The Most Welcome gelding ran well to finish a two and a half length runner up to New Century in the Thirsk Hunt Cup.