With five Derby wins to his name the prospects of Sir Michael Stoute, enjoying a sixth victory in the Epsom showpiece moved a significant step closer after Midterm lived up to his tall reputation in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown.
Despite just the one Newbury maiden win to his name, the son of Galileo out of six-times Group One winner Midday demonstrated why he is prominent in the betting for the June 4 Classic when maintaining his unbeaten record in the Group Three affair.
As the field were taken along during the early stages by Dwight D it was clear by Ryan Moore's decision to anchor the 8-11 favourite close to the rear of runners that he was content to bide his time and wait for the optimum moment to strike.
Many of those in front of him began to feel the pinch with around three furlongs of the race left to run, as Moore, in almost effortless fashion, manoeuvred Midterm into contention to take closer order on the run to the final quarter of a mile.
Although forced to get stuck into Midterm for a few strides inside the final furlong to see off the challenge of Algometer, the response Moore required was forthcoming as the pair moved into a clear advantage close to the line, scoring by an ultimately cosy length and a half.
The winner was clipped into 7-1 from 8-1 for the Investec-sponsored Derby by both Paddy Power and Boylesports, while William Hill and Coral left him unchanged at 7-1. RaceBets went 6-1 from 8-1.
Stoute, who won the Classic Trial with Shergar (1981) and Shahrastani (1986) on the way to Epsom glory, said: "I was pleased, because he doesn't work well at home. He wouldn't beat a decent maiden, he hasn't done an impressive piece of work yet. That was the same last year. He's lazy at home.
"But he's such a beautiful athlete with a great pedigree that he's got so many credentials, and we went just hoping he'd run well at Newbury when we felt he was ready for a race.
"He's not changed in his work this year, but he showed here that he really travels. He travelled very well but got to the front and pricked his ears. But he's been in a race on a turning track."
While the Newmarket handler was delighted that Midterm passed his first test of the season, he refused to get too carried away.
He added: "He had to perform today for him to be considered a Derby horse. It is well documented he is not flamboyant in his home work.
"He is a good quality horse with a good attitude and we can afford to be hopeful, but he still has a long way to go.
"We'll go for one of the trials now, either Chester or York. We'll work it out."
As for Moore, who won aboard ante-post Derby favourite US Army Ranger at the Curragh earlier this month, he was more than satisfied with the display.
Moore said: "I thought it was a really professional performance.
"We went a good, even pace and he travelled nicely. I always felt like he was in control.
"He was a little bit green coming up the hill, but every time I asked him he kept responding.
"He doesn't do much - he seems to save his best for when he comes to the track - but you'd be very happy with what he's done today."
Asked how he would handle Epsom, Moore said: "No problem. He's a very neat horse and a very good mover. He's certainly bred to do the job.
"There's a few more trials to be seen and there's a lot of horses we haven't seen yet, so it's early days, but this horse has done absolutely nothing wrong."
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