Sakhee's challenge for the Epsom Derby gathered further momentum as he ground out victory in the JWE Telecom Dante Stakes at York yesterday.

The colt, apparently underrated by trainer John Dunlop during the winter, made it four wins on the trot as he dismissed four rivals in the £145,000 Group Two contest. But Sakhee was brave rather than flashy, prompting a wide difference in opinions over his chances at Epsom.

Sakhee will try to follow in the footprints of Dunlop's Shirley Heights, in 1978, and Erhaab six years ago, who went on to Epsom glory after winning the York race.

"It would be an unusual coincidence if he could do it after the other two," said Dunlop. "I didn't really consider him a Derby horse during the winter but he will go there now with every chance."

Sakhee, the 5 to 2 joint favourite, sat in behind the trailblazing Shamrock City before Richard Hills sent him to the front with three furlongs to travel.

Briefly he looked under serious threat from Pawn Broker before going on to defeat that rival by one and a quarter lengths.

It was a further three-quarters of a length back to the Godolphin hope Best Of the Bests.

Aidan O'Brien's Royal Kingdom was most disappointing and trailed in well behind.

Sakhee had won on heavy going at Sandown last month and Dunlop admitted he had been concerned about the fast ground.

"I wasn't particularly happy with him at halfway. I didn't think he was enjoying the ground," he said. "He's such a big horse that very firm ground at Epsom would be a worry.

"But with the prospect of rain here they understandably weren't able to water and it could well be that the ground won't be so bad at Epsom.

"Despite the Bahri influence he should stay all right. His dam won the Ribblesdale Stakes and she is a sister to the St Leger runner-up Celestial Storm."

Pawn Broker is not entered in the Derby and is likely to be aimed at the Curragh version.

His trainer David Elsworth said: "I was astonished there wasn't an inquiry - my horse was impeded three times. They announced the weighed-in before I even had the chance to see the head on."

Best of the Bests, running for the first time since last September, is a best-priced 16 to 1 to give Frankie Dettori his first Derby win.

Godolphin's racing manager Simon Crisford said: "He missed the trials in Dubai and we were behind schedule with him. He'll improve for the run and subject to Sheikh Maktoum's approval he's Derby bound."

Pat Eddery picked up a oneday ban (May 26th) when partnering Baarakana in the final race.