After nine years without a Derby runner, Paul Cole is going for glory again in the Vodafone-sponsored Classic with Strategic Prince.

Early morning mist may be hampering visibilty at the trainer's magnificent Whatcombe training complex, near Wantage.

But reminders of former glories are clear to see.

Outside the main yard is a splendid statue of Snurge, the 1990 St Leger winner.

Inside, first lot circle round a bronze of Generous, the flaxen-maned chestnut who gave Cole his greatest success when storming to a breathtaking victory in the 1991 Derby.

"One canter, two canters," the trainer issues his instructions to his work riders before the string heads off to the gallops.

Among them is Strategic Prince, who is to do a solo spin under head lad Tony Bradley as he continues his build-up to a crack at Flat racing's blue riband on Saturday.

Up to almost a decade ago, the 65-year-old trainer's charges were regular challengers for Epsom glory.

But in 2001 it all changed as Cole and his staff were left shell-shocked by the death at the age of 46 of Generous's owner, Saudi Arabian Prince Fahd Salman.

Without his main owner, Cole lost the ammunition to chase the sport's greatest prize.

However, in Strategic Prince, he has once again uncovered a colt with the ability to race at the highest level.

Up on the gallop - known as Paradise - Cole emerges through the mist on his hack George.

And one by one his charges follow up the all-weather strip - including the athletic Strategic Prince, who takes the exercise in his stride.

Speaking from horseback, Cole says: "He showed a lot of speed and acceleration last year, but this year he seems a bit more relaxed and the indications are he wants further."

That speed saw Strategic Prince win on his debut at Salisbury before going on to land a Group 2 double in the July Stakes at Newmarket and the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood.

On his seasonal reappearance, the colt, who is owned by HRH Sultan Ahmad Shah, head of state of Pahang, Malaysia, finished eighth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket won by Cockney Rebel.

"If he is a miler then he has run a very good race," says Cole. "He was only beaten four and a half lengths, but if he is a mile and a half horse he has run an exceptional race.

"I would have liked to have run him in the Dante just to give us an idea he would stay, but the Knavesmire is lethal when it comes to assessing horses if it is a bit wet.

"Those horses that ran in the Dante were strung out all over the course and they were not that bad, so I am rather glad we missed that one."

Cole is optimistic that Strategic Prince, the mount of Eddie Ahern, will stay the mile-and-a-half trip as Dansili produced an Arc winner in Rail Link and the family stays up to two miles.

He also believes the colt will handle the course's unique gradients and undulations, having "whizzed round the bend" in a gallop at Lingfield.

Of greater concern, though, is the prospect of soft ground as Strategic Prince's best form has been when he can hear his hooves rattling.

"When it rains on watered ground it produces false ground and we don't want that for our colt," adds Cole.

"Bear in mind none of us know whether he will stay or not, then fourth favourite would be about right."

Authorized, who will bid to give Frankie Dettori a first Derby winner, heads the betting and and Cole has plenty of respect for the market leader.

"The favourite obviously deserves to be hot favourite," he says. "He is a Group 1 winner and a Group 2 winner, but Epsom is a very different track to Newbury and York.

"If you asked every trainer in England to choose a horse in the race, every one would choose the favourite."

At the same time, it's quite clear Cole believes Strategic Prince has the potential to run a big race.