Ryan Moore hailed Highest Ground as a “lovely colt” after riding him to glory at Haydock, fuelling talk of a Derby run.
The son of Frankel showed promise by winning on his debut last September at Leicester and further delivered on his hype with a two-and-a-half length score on Merseyside.
Moore tracked him behind John Gosden's Waldkonig before guiding him to the front a furlong out and powering to victory.
While his developement has been hampered by a throat issue, connections have always thought highly of the three-year-old and a run in the Derby is now being touted.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has never been one to rush his horses but that has done little to quash talk of a trip to Epsom on July 4.
His rider refused to comment on the speculation but admitted there was plenty to admire about Highest Ground.
Moore said, in quotes attributed to him by the Racing Post: “He's a lovely colt. I'd be very happy with what he did today, hopefully he's a proper colt.”
