THE ideal scenario for any bigrace contender is to have a blemish-free build-up, to have equipped itself adequately on the lead-up to the big day and then run as if life depended on it when it matters.

Initially, the situation was fine concerning Sir Percy, so much so, in fact, that the colt was ante-post favourite for the Derby at Epsom on June 3.

However, the vibes seeping from trainer Marcus Tregoning's stable have been mixed of late, culminating in the animal running in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, where he finished second behind George Washington, Sir Percy's first ever defeat.

It transpires that the opening colts' classic of the season took its toll on Sir Percy, who headed home stiff and sore.

Since that afternoon, doubt has been cast on his participation on Epsom's Downs early next month, and a gallop this weekend could convince Tregoning that his charge is ready, orotherwise, to attempt to resume winning ways.

"He's in good form but it is a very difficult situation, " said the trainer. "At first, he appeared jarred up, then afterwe had got over the disappointment of him coming out of a race badly for the first time in his career, we found he was quite stiff in his hamstrings.

"With all of the physio he has been getting, we have been able to keep him going and he did his first half-pace piece of work on Tuesday. It went very well. He is a very clean-winded horse and doesn't need to do a lot of work. At this stage, I think absolutely that he will run in the Derby."

Tregoning added that a final decision as to Sir Percy's participation at Epsom is likely to come in the middle of next week. "I want him to run because I am sure he is going to win a big race this year. Whether it's in the Derby or not I don't know, but I'd like to find out, " he said.

"He is very agile, absolutely the right size for the Derby. He hasn't raced left-handed but the one time we sent him that way, when he worked at Newbury, he seemed to go round the turn okay. He will get stirred up in the preliminaries. It's his trait, he does that. However, so far, I don't feel that it has affected his performance."

That said, the aforementioned bad vibes had the odds layers pushing Sir Percy's antepost price out to 6-1, which was then the top-price in the industry, and since then he has been friendless in the market and is now available at 10-1.

On a more positive note, Mark Johnston felt his journey from Yorkshire to Epsom yesterday was worthwhile having watched Atlantic Waves, his Derby contender, acquaint himself with the classic course.

After having watched Joe Fanning bring Atlantic Waves home in front of galloping companion Boquilobo, Johnston said he was satisfied with the preparation of the colt. "I am delighted we brought him here, " said the Scot. "It is very, very soft but he's gone fine on it.

Johnston, whose best finish in the Derby came when Mister Baileys finished fourth in 1994, said he hoped the colt had enough experience for the Derby on what will be just his fourth start. "That's the big gamble, " he said. "I really don't know if he can win. He's not a ridiculous outsider. He is a live contender, but he is an inexperienced live contender, and it's not usual for me to be making the jump from Listed race to Group 1. Still, we'll find out on Saturday week how good he is."