AFTER 57 long and painful years without so much as a sniff of success in the Epsom Derby, a northern stable could finally be about to end the drought.

Not since Dante's historic victory in the 1945 substitute Derby, run at Newmarket as a consequence of the Second World War, has a stable based in our area managed to get a horse in the first three, let alone win. But the tide might be about to turn because with the strongly-fancied Middleham pair Fight Your Corner and Bandari, plus 150-1 Malton-based outsider, Jelani, amongst the 12-runner line-up, there are genuine grounds for optimism.

"And pigs might fly" I hear a cynic shout from the back of the betting shop. Not so in this case since the two main contenders, Bandari and Fight Your Corner, hail from Mark Johnston's yard, a man so dedicated to smashing his way into the record books, it's almost frightening.

In the space of only 14 years, the outspoken Scottish vet-turned racehorse trainer has built a mighty 178-horse powerbase at Middleham in North Yorkshire - the same small racing town that produced Dante to score in 1945 under the stewardship of the great Matt Peacock.

Johnston's rise to fame is well-documented in these parts - catapulted onto centre stage when Mister Baileys won the 1994 2,000 Guineas, followed by the exploits of a succession of great racehorses, notably Double Trigger's dominance of the staying division from 1995 to 1999. And finally just under two years ago, shattering Henry Cecil's long-standing landmark by becoming the fastest man ever to train 1,000 winners in this country.

But was he disappointed when Mister Baileys only finished fourth in the 1994 Derby and could he possibly compare that great horse with his two current stable-stars, Bandari and Fight Your Corner?

"Of course I was upset that Mister Baileys didn't follow up his 2,000 Guineas success by going on to win the Derby, but after setting up a decisive lead at the top of the hill his reserves of stamina just didn't last out over the final couple of furlongs.

"Trying to compare the three is impossible. Dean McKeown, who used to ride for us, picked out Mister Baileys as something special right from the word go, whereas Fight Your Corner and Bandari have progressed up the ladder with their races and unlike Mister Baileys both have proven stamina over the Derby distance of a mile-and-a-half."

That's something of an understatement since the dazzling duo came through their respective Derby trials in scintillating fashion - Fight Your Corner cracking the course record in the Chester Vase, and Bandari, winning the Lingfield Derby Trial by an unprecedented 13 lengths.

Another feather in Mark's hat is the relatively cheap original purchase of the pair (see graphic), although both have subsequently been re-sold to members of the oil-rich Dubai-based Maktoum family for six figure sums a piece

Making a silk purse out of a sow's ear has of course been one of Johnston's trademarks from day one of setting up in business. But what does he really think about having to operate at the lower end of the price scale when opponents, such as Sir Michael Stoute, are able to average 230,000 guineas per yearling, compared with his average of approximately 30,000 guineas?

"For starters it's against all the odds that we have been able to find two Derby standard colts at such low purchase prices compared with our main competitors whose stock tends to far more valuable," he said.

"And I must say it's an added thrill to be able to be able to compete at the highest level after spending so little to start with.

"Nevertheless, that's not to say I want to go on having to be constantly prudent. I would much prefer to be able to spend 400,000 guineas on an order for a yearling. Having to often work to a low budget is far too hit and miss as far as regularly unearthing Classic material is concerned."

Johnston is taking no chances whatsoever as far as security is concerned with his Fight Your Corner and Bandari, who were dispatched with a team of seven lads and lasses instructed to maintain round-the-clock guard in the run up to race scheduled to go off at 3.50 this afternoon.

Over the past few nerve-racking days, Mark has admitted to be more concerned about getting his contenders to the starting stalls in one piece rather than worrying about which one is going to win.

And I'm sure the all-conquering Scotsman won't mind me telling you that when I interviewed him a week ago he reported Fight Your Corner to being "in the better nick of the two". Nonetheless seven days is a long time in horse racing and now when pressed he marginally favours Bandari!

Amongst the army of stable staff opinion is divided. The most senior of the Head Lad's, Brian Bennett, is firmly in the Bandari camp.

"Bandari has to be the one. He was so impressive in his trial at Lingfield, which has been a reliable guide to the Derby in the past," explained Bennett.

On the other hand, Justin Buckham, who travels all over the country with the stable's horses, is siding with Fight Your Corner. "They are both high-class colts, but Fight Your Corner has that extra gear to use in the closing stages.

However, Justin summed up the feelings of the entire team when he said: "I not really bothered so long as one them wins."

Get more racing online at www.racing-north.co.uk.