Connections of Damysus are hopeful he can continue his progression in the Group 3 Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes after an aborted trip to Paris last week.

Following third and second place finishes in both the Group 3 bet365 Class Trial and Group 2 Dubai Dante Stakes, connections opted to roll the dice in the Group 1 Epsom Derby in June with the John and Thady Gosden -trained three-year-old.

Things didn't go to plan for the striking son of Frankel on the Epsom Downs as he failed to beat a rival home after getting upset in the stalls, but he quickly proved that he remained a horse of considerable ability when getting back on track with a commanding two-length success in the 2000m Listed Prix Nureyev at Deauville in August.

A return trip to France to contest the Group 2 Qatar Prix Dollar on Arc weekend was firmly on the cards but with the rain continuing to fall across Paris last weekend, connections opted to draw stumps late on.

Despite an aborted trip to France, connections remain confident that he remains in top form ahead of taking on five rivals in Saturday's opening Too Darn Hot Darley Stakes on Newmarket's Rowley Mile.

Richard Brown, racing manager for powerful international owners Wathnan Racing, said: "I spoke to John (Gosden) earlier and he's in good nick. Obviously, he had a little weekend trip to Paris without doing anything, but he enjoyed his time over there.

"He'll have a little breeze this week but the plan for him is to run on Saturday in the Darley Stakes.

"He got upset in the stalls in the Derby and things didn't go his way. The ground was against him as I don't think he's a mile and a half horse who wants soft ground.

"He's a strong traveler with a good turn of foot and he was impressive in the Nureyev. I think nine furlongs at Newmarket will hopefully be ideal for him."

Damysus is currently a general 7/4 market leader with bookmakers to claim the Group 3 prize on Saturday, with First Conquest, who was a Group 3 winner in Meydan back in January and finished fourth in the same grade at Haydock in August, amongst his chief rivals alongside Karl Burke's Liberty Lane and Andrew Balding's Gladius.

Imagine what you could be buying instead. For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au.