Desert Crown is new Derby favourite after storming Dante Stakes win

Thirty-six years after his first success in the Dante Stakes with Shahrastani, Sir Michael Stoute was back on track in more ways than one at York on Thursday as Desert Crown, a big gamble for the Derby in recent weeks, quickened clear of seven opponents in Britain’s last major trial and took over as the new favourite for the Classic on 4 June.

Stoute was Britain’s champion trainer 10 times between 1981 and 2009 and has five Derby winner’s trophies on his mantlepiece at Freemason Lodge, the most recent from Workforce’s Epsom victory in 2010 after he had finished second in the Dante.

Related: Talking Horses: Stone Age’s status as Derby favourite under threat at York

His once pre-eminent stable has not had so much as a runner in the Derby since 2016, however, and only two starters in the premier Classic since Carlton House, the favourite, narrowly missed out behind Pour Moi in 2011.

Stoute’s appearances on the racecourse have also become increasingly rare in recent months but he was on the Knavesmire to see Desert Crown cut through the field from two furlongs out and then extend his lead over Royal Patronage to three-and-a-quarter lengths at the line, despite drifting right in the closing stages.

Desert Crown is open to any amount of improvement after what was only the second start of his career, and this victory was enough to see him end Stone Age’s four-day reign as Derby favourite after his wide-margin win at Leopardstown on Sunday.

Stoute’s colt is now top-priced at 9-4 (from 7-1) for Epsom with Stone Age out to 100-30. Changingoftheguard, O’Brien’s Chester Vase winner, at 9-1 is the only other runner at single-figure odds.

“It’s only his second race, he’s travelled well and he’s accelerated pleasingly,” Stoute said