John Leeper cut to 7-1 (from 16) for Derby after Fairway Stakes victory

The immaculately-bred John Leeper is now as short as 7-1 for the Cazoo Derby after landing the Betway Fairway Stakes at Newmarket on his prep run for the Classic.

A son of six-time Group 1 winning mare Snow Fairy, John Leeper made his challenge two furlongs out and endured a battle with Tasman Bay before staying on best to win by a length and three quarters.

Paddy Power cut John Leeper to 7-1 (from 16) for next month's Classic, while the son of Frankel is no bigger than 10-1 across the board, with Bolshoi Ballet the 7-4 favourite.

He is named after trainer Ed Dunlop's father, John, and he will now look to emulate his dam who enjoyed Classic glory in the Oaks in 2010.

Dunlop said: "That was nerve-racking – training a horse named after one's father puts a bit of pressure on the horse and everyone else. I'm thrilled we got through this stage.

"It was a very falsely run race, as William [Buick, jockey] said they trotted along and he was a little bit keen. He's an enormous horse who is very inexperienced but when he met the rising ground he really started to take off. That bodes well for the future."

He added: "We'll more than likely go to Epsom, it's the owner's dream. She's always wanted to do it. Since this horse was born, if he was good enough, he was always heading in that route.

"There's a long way to go but he deserves to go there."

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