Retired Sussex businessman Michael Gibbs believes he is on course for Derby glory today with Motivator.

Gibbs is a member of the Royal Ascot Racing Club, owners of the favourite for the big race at Epsom.

He expects to be in the winners' enclosure, celebrating victory for Motivator.

"I think he has got an excellent chance," Gibbs said. "I would go as far to say he is going to win it.

"He is a class horse and he has got all the attributes you need to win a Derby, speed and staying power."

Worthing-based Gibbs, a 73-year-old former director of the Woolwich Building Society, has been a member of the Royal Ascot Racing Club since it was launched eight years ago.

He forked out £6,000 to join and pays an annual subscription of £4,700.

The club has several celebrities among its 230 owners, such as Lord Andrew Lloyd-Webber, Simon Cowell, Ken Bates and Mel Smith.

"It is tremendously exciting to have the Derby favourite," Gibbs said. "I was involved with Housemaster in a Highclere syndicate back in 1999 and to have two runners in the Derby in the space of half a dozen years is quite something.

"Housemaster finished a good fourth. We were almost third but just got pipped on the line. I remember because I was standing right down by the line. It was a great thrill."

Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh is bidding for his third Derby success in just six years aboard the Michael Bell-trained Motivator after steering Sinndar home in 2000 and High Chaparral in 2002.

The rival Gibbs fears most is Gipsy King, Kieren Fallon's pick from the powerful Aidan O'Brien yard. He also respects Kong and Unfurled, the two contenders from the Arundel stable of two-time Derby winner John Dunlop.

"I think Gipsy King is the main danger," Gibbs said. "He has got a bit of class. John's horses are always worth looking at in the Derby. Kong would be the pick of his two but I think they both have a good each-way chance."