AFTER a quiet start to the season, Karl Burke has really hit top form over the last week with plenty of winners, including an across-the-card double on Monday.

The day started up at Ayr when Navajo War Dance won on his first start for the yard under stable jockey Dougie Costello.

The winner already had some good runs under his belt, but Burke was a happy man, saying: "He did have the best form, but he hasn't been working like a 90 horse. I hope this will help his confidence and he can come on from this."

Burke and Costello then travelled south to Carlisle for their evening meeting and enjoyed success with the very exciting Medici Banchiere, who had shown clear promise first time out at York.

Burke said: "This lad is above average and he was having a good blow there so he'll come on again for that. We'll think about Royal Ascot, but there are plenty of good races for a horse like him, so we'll see."

Staying at Carlisle, Alan Swinbank was also on the mark with Final Venture, a bang in form sprinter who was following up his recent Hamilton win.

On Wednesday, Burke was again on the scoresheet, this time down at Lingfield thanks to Felix Leiter, who benefited from a slight drop in class to capture his first race since August 2014.

The four-year-old was always up with the pace after being quickly away from his wide draw and moving nearer to the stands side.

Felix Leiter and George Cinq dominated proceedings, with the former pulling away under 7lb claimer Clifford Lee in the final half-furlong to score by two-and-a-quarter lengths.

George Cinq held on to second place by a neck from Passing Star.

"He's been in good form and just a slight drop in grade has helped him," said Burke.

"We might have to go back up in grade again, but that should give him a bit of confidence to go and do that.

"He's consistent and is a good work horse at home.

"It's good for Clifford as well. It's his first winner for us since he moved to us from Ed Walker's."

It's hard to believe that the Epsom Derby is only eight days away and Aiden O'Brien could again hold the key, but with which one this year as the Ballydoyle master could be mob-handed.

It has been a sign of collective weakness at Ballydoyle when the trainer has thrown six or more darts at the Epsom showpiece.

In 2007 he saddled eight runners, but failed to find the target, and two years later his half a dozen contenders were all left trailing by Sea The Stars.

By contrast, Galileo (2001) and Camelot (2012) flew solo for O’Brien on their way to glory in the premier Classic, while High Chaparral (2002) was joined by just two stablemates. Australia (2014) was one of four O’Brien challengers and Ruler Of The World (2013) the pick of five.

US Army Ranger, Port Douglas, Deauville and Idaho are all on course to represent O’Brien this time. The quartet could be joined by Bravery and Shogun, but that pair have the French Derby as an alternative.

The Gurkha, dazzling winner of the French 2,000 Guineas, has not been completely discounted, but O’Brien says it is “more than likely” he will instead head for the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot on June 14.

Beacon Rock is another possible, but the King Edward VII Stakes at the royal meeting is an obvious alternative.

O’Brien insists Ryan Moore had yet to decide who he will ride, but it will be a big surprise if the three-time champion jockey deserts the unbeaten US Army Ranger, who touched off Port Douglas in the Chester Vase this month.

O’Brien said that a stronger pace would have shown US Army Ranger in a better light on that occasion and added: "We knew that there was always a danger that he was going to find Chester very strange.

“He should come on and learn a lot from the race. He’s a very clear-winded horse and does not need a lot of work. There is a good chance that Ryan will ride him, but I couldn't say for definite.”

Port Douglas and Deauville were work companions throughout last year. Port Douglas was trying to give US Army Ranger 4lb when beaten a short head by him at Chester and O’Brien said: “He’s a very solid horse, not the biggest, and should handle the track.”

Of Deauville, he added: “He’s a very good moving horse and likes a good bit of ground. We were very happy with him in the Dante and you could not be happier except that John's (Gosden) horse came and got him.

“We are very happy with him, he is not too big and a well-balanced horse. He is a typical Galileo – very genuine – and he should progress.”