Godolphin's John Ferguson, like most of racing's key decision-makers, has long held York's G2 Dante Stakes in the highest regard as a trial for the G1 Investec Derby at Epsom.

But, even so, it will be unprecedented for Godolphin to have four major Derby aspirants sent out by four different trainers in what is considered the major prep for the Epsom Classic.

"I feel it is a good opportunity to establish a pecking order," Ferguson explained. "Not only do we have Epsom coming up, there is Chantilly and Royal Ascot to follow. This is a great chance to see where we stand with all of them," he added.

William Buick will ride the Charlie Appleby-trained Wolf Country, fresh from a winning seasonal debut at Saint-Cloud, Jamie Spencer will partner Kevin Ryan's Syphax, who ran well on the Newcastle all-weather -- and then there is Saeed bin Suroor's Benbatl and the David Elsworth-trained Swiss Storm (Jim Crowley).

Elsworth had been hoping to have Swiss Storm ready for the G1 2,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 6 but the colt had not been in peak form. "He just didn't 'arrive' in time for the Guineas," the trainer pointed out.

This watershed is welcomed and should give Godolphin form-followers more eagerly-awaited clues for Epsom to slot in alongside Best Solution's impressive Lingfield Derby Trial win on Saturday.

One other Dante runner worth noting is the Mark Johnston-trained Permian, who carries the silver colours of His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Mohammed, the Crown Prince, which makes him a fifth colt in the race with a Maktoum connection.

Permian is a progressive colt, who finished second to Cracksman in the Investec Derby Trial at Epsom and followed up by winning a Listed contest at Newmarket. He is tough and experienced, and should again run well.