'The Derby is the dream' - Burrows aiming high with Epsom dark horse Hukum

Trainer Owen Burrows says the Investec Derby is the ultimate aim for exciting three-year-old Hukum, who will bid to put his name in the Epsom picture when running in the Listed Newmarket Stakes on June 6.

The son of Derby hero Sea The Stars shaped with promise on his debut when third at Newbury in September, but marked himself out as a bright prospect when picking up smartly to get off the mark at Kempton in November.

The runner-up on that occasion, the Saeed bin Suroor-trained Laser Show, showed that form in a good light when winning the Al Bastakiya Trial at Meydan readily in January, albeit he has disappointed since.

Watch Hukum win at Kempton

Burrows is looking forward to seeing how the Hamdan Al Maktoum-owned three-year-old progresses when upped in trip this year, with his odds of 66-1 for the Epsom Classic demonstrating how low the exciting youngster is flying under the radar.

Owen Burrows: 'He has a good mind and is quite laid-back about everything, which is a nice problem to have'Credit: Edward Whitaker

"He was quite late as a two-year-old and I was more than happy with his run at Newbury, always knowing seven furlongs was going to be a bit sharp for him," the Kingwood House Stables trainer told Shadwell Racing Media.

"He took his time to get over that and that was why he wasn't out until later on over the all-weather at Kempton. I thought he would go very close that day and for the first half of the race I was wondering what was happening, but that's him."

Burrows added: "Richard Hills was on him for a piece of work last week and he worked very similar to that. He's a bit laid-back and mentally needs to switch on a bit more.

"Then Dane O'Neill rode him on Saturday and he did look a bit sharper, so hopefully it's just starting to happen for him."

Burrows, who spent a dozen years working as assistant trainer to Sir Michael Stoute, is targeting the Newmarket Stakes as as a starting point for the promising colt's campaign.

The Listed prize comes exactly four weeks before the rescheduled Investec Derby on July 4.

"He has a good mind and is quite laid-back about everything, which is a nice problem to have," said Burrows.

Sea The Stars: sire of Hukum won the Epsom highlight in 2009Credit: Edward Whitaker

"From what we saw when he won, we know the ability is in there – it's just a case of getting it channelled out in the right direction. I don't think we need to be going any shorter than a mile and a quarter and I have no qualms with him going a mile and a half when we need to."

He added: "[The Derby] is the dream, as such, and he is pretty inexperienced for something like the Derby, but I've been fortunate enough to be associated with a few Derby horses who had similar experiences.

"If he runs well, there's also always the possibility of Royal Ascot for the Hampton Court. We'll see how he works and go from there."

Read more:

Appleby: Derby tilt for Pinatubo depends on Guineas performance

Balding: Kameko similar to Roaring Lion and we're all very excited about him

Fantastic Fabre well represented after first forfeit stage for French Guineas

The Racing Post newspaper will be back in shops to mark the return of British racing on Monday, June 1! With extensive coverage of all the racing, interviews with the biggest names, tipping from our renowned experts, writing from the likes of Alastair Down and all the cards and form, it's your unmissable guide to all the action. Pick up your copy on Monday.