Xaar was yesterday officially recognised as the best winner of the Dewhurst Stakes for 14 years. British Horseracing Board two-year-old handicapper Matthew Tester rates the son of Zafonic on 127, a figure surpassed only twice by a juvenile since 1983.
He has been working on the figures since Xaar beat Tamarisk by seven lengths at Newmarket on Saturday, with Impressionist another two and half lengths away in third and a further neck back to fourth-placed Desert Prince.
Tester said yesterday: "Xaar's final rating is up to the International Classification committee but I have spoken to my Irish and French colleagues and we have come up with a rating of 127.
"That is 2lb more than his father and makes him the best winner of the Dewhurst since El Gran Senor in 1983.
"Xaar is a very special horse as since El Gran Senor, the only two-year-olds to have been rated higher are Arazi and Celtic Swing.
"It is difficult as Central Park and Daggers Drawn ran no sort of race but I rated Tamarisk on 115 with Desert Prince and Impressionist on 110 so it fits in quite nicely.
"My only slight reservation is that it implies none of them have improved and it may well be that they have. If I could, I would attach a "p" for improvement to all of them."
But there was a word of warning for those tempted to back Xaar at even-money for next year's 2,000 Guineas from Tester, whose job prevents him from betting.
"I was cured of looking into a crystal ball to predict the future by Tromos," he recalled.
"He was head and shoulders the best two-year-old of 1978 but was beaten in the Craven the following year and then retired."
Bookmakers Coral yesterday introduced Pontefract winner Gulland into their Derby betting at 25 to 1. The Geoff Wragg-trained colt had already entered many notebooks after running second to Teapot Row at Doncaster in September, and is improving with every run.
"Gulland looks a very promising individual and it would be no surprise if he improved leaps and bounds between now and next spring," said Simon Clare, Coral spokesman.
Vodafone Derby: Coral betting: 10/1 Second Empire, Xaar, 16/1 King of Kings, 20/1 City Honours, Kilimanjaro, Teapot Row, 25/1 bar.
Officials at Wincanton will begin watering the track today in a bid to take the jar out of the ground in time for Thursday's meeting which could see Mr Mulligan in action for the first time since landing the Cheltenham Gold Cup in March.
The gelding's tariner Noel Chance will walk the course this morning before deciding whether to run his charge in the Desert Orchid South West Pattern Chase. But the trainer will not risk his stable star if he reckons the ground is too firm.
Tom McLoughlin took the riding honours at Pontefract yesterday in the White Swan Handicap. The speedy four-year-old Afaan struck for home more than two furlongs out and, after going clear, held on by a length from Bowlers Boy.
Trainer Richard Marvin paid tribute to McLaughlin, a jockey who gets only limited opportunities. "Tom rides all mine and is a very good lad," said the delighted trainer.
Godolphin's two-year-old filly Muhaba bids to follow up last month's Haydock maiden success in the Group Three Prix des Reservoirs over a mile at Deauville today. Frankie Dettori's mount faces six rivals of whom the pick looks to be Criquette Head's Group Three-placed Cortona.
