Dubai: Godolphin handler Saeed Bin Surour has confirmed that True Story will keep his Epsom Derby (G1) date despite failing to make a good impression in Thursday’s Dante Stakes (G2), a premier trial for next month’s English Classic.

Sent off as a short-priced 8-13 favourite to win the York feature, True Story appeared to be missing the wow factor that saw him romp to a seven- length victory in the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket four weeks ago and propelled him to second favourite for the June 7 Derby.

The race was won by Grey Gatsby, runner-up in the Craven Stakes (G3) and ninth in the 2,000 Guineas (G1) with lesser-fancied Odeon ¾ length back in second and True Story a further ¾ length behind in third.

True Story was ridden by big-race jockey Kieren Fallon, who sat in a televised Stewards’ Inquiry with Ryan Moore, the rider of The Grey Gatsby, as racecourse officials reviewed runnings of the race, which showed the winner hanging to the stand-side rail, which caused minor interference to the Godolphin hope.

However, Bin Surour, did not read too much into the incident and said: “Obviously I’m a bit disappointed with the way he ran today, because I expected him to win, and win well.

“But Kieren said that he did not appear to settle or like the ground, which was good to soft.

“But we’ll still take him to Epsom, because we believe that he will be more suited by the extra two furlongs of the Derby,” he added.

“But more than anything he needs good ground to be at his best and we’re hoping that is what we will get at Epsom in three weeks time.

“He’ll obviously come on for this run where he has gained some more experience.”

Over the years, the Dante has produced nine Derby winners, with Authorized the last horse to complete the famous double back in 2007.

However, The Grey Gatsby will sidestep the Epsom showpiece in favour of the French equivalent, which takes place in June 1.

“I’m delighted for this horse and for Frank [Gillespie, owner], a fantastic owner who buys some nice horses,” winning trainer Kevin Ryan told Channel 4 Racing.

“He [The Grey Gatsby] has always drifted a bit under pressure, I don’t know why. Ryan had him switched off so he was always going to get the trip.

“He’s got a lot of speed and he ran well in the Guineas, he’s got the trip and he’s got it well.

“He’s in the French Derby and that is probably where we are heading.”

Moore added: “It rode a good gallop. I travelled lovely in third, but I was in front too early. When he got to the front, he hung right.

“That [mile and a quarter] is as far as he wants to go.”