Motivator underlined his Vodafone Derby claims with a stylish win in the totesport Dante Stakes at York today.
The Michael Bell-trained colt maintained his unbeaten record as he beat The Geezer in the 10-furlong Classic trial.
He was always travelling well and ran on strongly despite drifting slightly towards the stands rail.
Aidan O'Brien's second-string Falstaff took third after making the early running.
Falstaff broke quickly and was pushed to the front to cut out the early pace for stablemate Albert Hall. But he was soon joined by the hard-pulling Proclamation, who refused to settle on the outside.
Murtagh had Motivator nicely switched off at the back of the pack, with only Albert Hall behind him, and he was in a prime position turning for home.
Albert Hall tried to challenge down the outside but Murtagh was sitting with a double-handful and he only had to push the button a furlong and a half out for Motivator to pick up and move clear.
The even-money favourite drifted to the right in the closing stages as the The Geezer tried to peg him back but pulled away again in the shadow of the post for a one-and-a-half-length success.
Murtagh was delighted with Motivator's performance and he thinks the colt will be able to handle the undulations of Epsom in the Derby.
"It was a funny race. There wasn't much pace but when I asked him to quicken he did it very well," Murtagh said.
"I think he'll come round Tattenham Corner come Derby day. He was only having his third run and I expect a lot more improvement. He has what it takes.
"Good horses adapt and to win the Derby he has to overcome it all. I think he has a great chance."
O'Brien was not too disappointed with eventual fifth Albert Hall as he felt the easy ground was against the colt.
He added: "Just when he let him down, he just floundered. I was concerned about the ground beforehand because he's a fast-ground horse.
"A combination of soft ground and a horse who is not 100 per cent fit is usually a disaster but he ran okay. I don't know about Epsom, we weren't counting on this."
PA