Johnny Murtagh and Rocket Man ready for take-off

Johnny Murtagh can put last season's Chester Vase nightmare behind him when he teams up with Rocket Man (2.45pm) on the Roodee tomorrow.

Twelve months ago, the jockey was pilloried for his ride on favourite Masterofthehorse, who was given far too much to do as stablemate Golden Sword landed the Group 3 event.

From seven initial entries in this Derby trial, it is significant that the Ballydoyle yard rely solely on the Montjeu colt as they bid to win the race for the third time in four years. Murtagh gave the quickly-improving Rocket Man an educational ride in landing his maiden in heavy ground last month and, despite never having raced on fast ground, everything points to improvement on a sounder surface.

South Easter (2.15pm, nap) won the Group 2 Dee Stakes at this meeting last season, which was notable for another howler from Murtagh, who found trouble in running aboard the favourite Drum Beat.

Murtagh partners the William Haggas-trained four-year-old for the first time tomorrow and it will take a good horse to beat him in the Group 3 Huxley Stakes. Almiqdaad is sure to be a warm order in the opening 1m2f handicap but he has to give nearly a stone to Last Three Minutes (1.45pm), who gets the step up in trip in his first run for Sir Michael Stoute.

Yaa Wayl (3.15pm, nb) looked unlucky on his first attempt at 7f last October and, with the blinkers removed tomorrow, Michael Jarvis's runner can overcome an unfavourable draw.