FATHER-AND-SON training duo Paul and Oliver Cole are set to go for Investec Derby glory with Highland Chief at Epsom on Saturday.

The colt, from their Whatcombe stables, near Wantage, is among 17 entries for the premier Classic, which will take place behind closed doors for the first time due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Cole snr will be seeking a second success in Flat racing’s blue riband, having famously landed the prize with Generous in 1991.

He is operating under a dual licence with his son this season, and they became the first training partnership to record a Royal Ascot winner when Highland Chief swooped late to take the Golden Gates Handicap last month.

Now the son of Gleneagles, who is set to be ridden by Ben Curtis, is on course to step up to Group 1 company in the Derby for which he is a

best-priced 16-1 chance.

The Coles could also be represented by Celtic Art, like Highland Chief owned by Fitri Hay, in the Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) at Chantilly on Sunday.

The colt, last seen finishing second in the Listed Prix Isonomy at Deauville in October, is among 27 possibles for the Classic.

Meanwhile, East Ilsley trainer Hughie Morrison blazed the trail for sending runners overseas again when Telecaster impressively won in the Group 3 La Coupe at Longchamp.

The four-year-old romped home by four lengths from Romanciere under Christophe Soumillon with the mile-and-a-quarter contest at the Paris track run at 8.40am (BST) due to the pan-European heatwave.

Morrison said: "The plan worked out perfectly. It was nice for him to win a race with ease and have a nice experience.

"We love going to France. They set it up nicely for us. It was the first race before it got really hot, on fresh ground."

Heather Main, who trains at Kingston Lisle, near Wantage, opened her account for the season when Marshal Dan scored at Chepstow under Rossa Ryan and doubled her tally with Mostawaa's win at Haydock with Silvestre de Sousa on board.

Eve Johnson Houghton's Blewbury stables, near Didcot, landed Newmarket handicaps on consecutive days with Kepala scoring in good style under Charlie Bishop before Gin Palace battled well for a neck success in the hands of Georgia Dobie.

West Ilsley trainer Mick Channon landed an 84-1 double at Haydock courtesy of Barbill (15-2) and Queen Of Silca (9-1) with champion jockey Oisin Murphy in the saddle.