Epsom Derby favourite King's Best came through his "away-day" test at Sandown yesterday with flying colours.

The 2,000 Guineas winner appeared as cool as a cucumber under big-race rider Kieren Fallon in a canter of about a mile and a quarter. Fallon said: "That was fine - that's the way he behaves at home. He is quite a clever horse as well and was taking it all in."

He outlined how he hoped to ride the colt at Epsom.

"He would be better off a slow pace at first," Fallon said. "I would like a good low draw, lie about fifth or sixth as they shouldn't be going that fast up the hill at first. Then I will play it by ear.

"About him getting the mile and a half, in the Guineas he only started to race in the last half furlong and it didn't feel as if he wasn't likely to stay the Derby trip."

Asked which horse he would like to ride in the Derby if he could not partner King's Best, Fallon went for the Henry Cecil-trained Wellbeing.

King's Best later had a taste of the Sandown atmosphere as he walked around the parade ring during racing.

"He was in the pre-parade ring until the horses left the paddock for the Henry II and he went round the paddock while the race was on," Stoute said.