Sir Dragonet (13-2) is just a best-priced 11-2 with Betfair for the Investec Derby after he romped to victory in MBNA Chester Vase Stakes on the first day of the May Festival at Chester.
The Aidan O'Brien-trained colt, who only made his racecourse debut 13 days ago when winning a Tipperary maiden, ran out a superb winner of the Group Three on Roodee, sauntering to an eight-length victory over stablemate Norway (9-2) under the trainer's son Donnacha O'Brien.
It was a record 10th win in the Chester Vase for the Ballydoyle maestro who has taken the 1m4f contest in the past with subsequent Derby hero Ruler Of The World (2013) and Treasure Beach (2011), who finished second at Epsom before landing the Irish version at the Curragh.
A son of 2012 Derby hero Sir Camelot, Sir Dragonet is not entered in the Epsom Classic and would need supplementing for the Group One.
But having turned the Chester Vase into a procession it is likely he will line-up at Epsom on June 1.
Dashing Willoughby led but under Donnacha O'Brien - who had partnered his fathers' Magna Grecia to victory in the first Classic of the season, the QIPCO 2,000 Guineas at the weekend - Sir Dragonet sat off the pace biding his time.
He made his move with half a mile to run and although 11-4 joint favourite King Ottokar was still going well on the outside, he had no answer to Sir Dragonet's change of gear.
The winner cleared away from the field with Norway staying on for second ahead of Dashing Willoughby (8-1).
With several more trials over the next week at Chester, Lingfield, Leopardstown and York, O'Brien has plenty more options to add to his Derby armoury.
His stable's seemingly leading contender, Beresford Stakes winner Japan, is set to run in the Derrinstown House Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday.
But Sir Dragonet looks certain to be among the team at Epsom.
Paul Smith, son of part-owner Derrick Smith, said: "That was a lovely surprise. He was a big baby at home and that is why he was not entered in the Derby. I suppose the lads will look at it now and make a decision a week or two beforehand.
"He has a beautiful Galileo pedigree by Camelot. It is all there, but he was a baby at home and he obviously comes alive on the track. We needed to educate him as he just had the one run before and Aidan thought this was a good place to come.
"Donnacha loved him. He said he gave him a lovely feel and was very straightforward and when he asked him, he quickened well. He was on top of them very early, but he was pleasantly surprised.
"I remember Treasure Beach when he won here and he was about 33-1 for the Derby and he just got chinned on the line. It is real good ground here and he would have learned a lot there. It was only his second run and he took it all in his stride.
"The pedigree is strong and it wouldn't be a hindrance at all, lovely good ground. He got through that well and I'm sure he would love good ground.
"This gives Aidan a fantastic yardstick now. It is good to get a sleeper as well and one you don't know about. It is always a pleasant surprise. The big horses you get nervous, but with these it is a fact-finding mission. Hopefully we are lurking on one."
Donnacha O'Brien said: "He was still quite raw and green so I let him follow them along for the first two furlongs, but they went a good pace up front and I could tell three or four out I was going to win.
"It was a case of not getting there too early. There was a big engine in there once you asked him.
"He has never shown a lot at home and some of these well-bred horses learn to go to sleep at home, but he obviously saves it for the track. He has a great pedigree by Camelot and he looks to be an exciting sire. He is one to look forward to. "
