Mutamam can complicate an already cloudy English Derby picture by booking his place in the Epsom classic with victory in the Tote Predominate Stakes at Goodwood today.

With the leading bookmakers going 5 to 1 the field and both Guineas winners King Of Kings and Cape Verdi quoted with a run, the £500,000 event promises to be the most open for years.

The Alec Stewart-trained colt, 20 to 1 for the big race, was not far off the top drawer last season. Brought along steadily, he won his first two races at Lingfield and Chester in grand style before taking a huge step up in class for his final race as a two-year-old.

That was in the Group One Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster where he finished a close and rather unlucky third to Saratoga Springs.

The form looked solid then but it looks even better after Saratoga Springs swept to the head of the Derby betting by winning the Dante Stakes at York last week.

Stewart had planned to run Mutamam in the Newmarket Stakes at the Guineas Festival, but the horse bruised a heel and missed five days' work. That could turn out to be a blessing as the going was desperate.

Connections are planning a true test as owner Hamdan Al Maktoum runs a pacemaker in the shape of the John Dunlop-trained Rabah.

Sensory looks the biggest danger but Barry Hills' runner was second to Dr Fong at Newmarket last month and he could only finish fourth to Saratoga Springs at York. Mowbray has claims on his performances behind King Of Kings and Lend A Hand - first and second in the 2,000 Guineas. Neither he nor Sensory are engaged at Epsom and it will be a disappointment if Mutamam is beaten.

Mowbray's trainer Paul Cole can get favourite backers off to a successful start by saddling Evander to win the Trehearne & Norman Maiden Stakes.

The son of Indian Ridge was third of 26 in a hot Newmarket maiden won by Fa-Eq and has less to do. Victory for Evander would advertise the chances of Forest Ending in the National Riding Week Maiden Stakes at Beverley.

Henry Cecil's colt, only four lengths back in sixth in that mile event on his racecourse debut, should appreciate the extra two furlongs and can open his account.

The best bet of the day looks to be Out Of Sight in the David Swannell Memorial Rated Stakes.

The lightly-raced four-year-old, shock winner of a valuable York handicap 12 months ago, has shaped well in two outings this spring. And the booking of a revitalised Walter Swinburn by trainer Bryan McMahon looks significant.