Captain America, third in each of the last two Mets at 8-1 and 22-1, is a 16-1 chance this time after that valiant attempt to gallop Legal Eagle into submission in the Queen’s Plate.

“We purposely did what we did to try and make the race very hard for the favourite,” said Brett Carwford. “It didn’t quite work but it nearly did and he can equally as well be ridden given a chance. He came out of the race in good shape and since then we have just kept him ticking over.”

Crawford, bidding for his third Met in four seasons and his fourth in all, also runs 28-1 shot Sail South who ran a cracker in the Queen’s Plate and was actually in front two strides after the post. But this time he has to overcome a 17 draw. “That’s going to make things difficult,” admits his trainer. “But he is a horse who likes to come from off them and we will probably be forced to ride him that way.”

White River, 7-2 for the Investec Cape Derby, has only half a length to find with Tap O’Noth on Guineas form. “He looks a horse who will go a trip and he will definitely be suited by the extra two furlongs.”

Asked if there are any of his other runners in the big races that he particularly likes Crawford picked out Search Party and Bold Respect in the Betting World Cape Flying and Undercover Agent in the CTS 1600.

He added: “I am putting blinkers on Search Party and I think this is going to make a big difference. Undercover Agent has a great draw, I have always said that he is a good horse and, if he brings his Cape Classic form to the race, he has to be a runner.”

By Michael Clower