Racing preview: Lingfield Derby Trial the highlight of weekend action

The first British Classics of the season, the 2000 and 1000 Guineas, took place last weekend and the focus now shifts to the next jewels in the crown of British Flat racing with trials for the Derby and Oaks at Lingfield on Saturday.
Lingfield Races. Photo: John Walton - Pool/Getty ImagesLingfield Races. Photo: John Walton - Pool/Getty Images
Lingfield Races. Photo: John Walton - Pool/Getty Images

We have previewed the pick of the weekend action.

The feature race of the day is the £60,000 Listed Derby Trial at 2.50pm live on ITV4. Seven runners go to post headed by Adayar (11/8). The Godolphin colt was second in a Derby Trial at Sandown last month and looks capable of going one better at the Surrey venue.

Ballydoyle maestro Aidan O’Brien has won four renewals of the 12-furlong event and relies on Kyprios (3/1) and Carlisle Bay (5/1) for this year’s event. Kyprios is bred in the purple and looked a potential star when scoring in fine style at Cork last time out despite showing clear signs of greenness. He looks an interesting contender, whilst Carlisle Bay (5/1), a solid third at Leopardstown in Group company at the back-end of last season is another to note, given he is related to Oaks second Wonder Of Wonders and is a son of Derby hero Galileo.

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Scope (6/1) looks a typical Ralph Beckett improver and finished an eye-catching second on his reappearance at Newmarket in April. He is one to note along with Third Realm (10/1) who represents Roger Varian and did the business in fine style at Nottingham last month. The field are completed by Recovery Run (16/1) and Etonian (25/1).

The Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes (2.15pm) also carries Listed status and has a £40,000 prize fund. The market is headed by Technique (9/4) for Martyn Meade who finished an excellent second in the Listed Blue Riband Trial at Epsom in April. A reproduction of that effort at a similar track will see her go close in this event. Nash Nasha (7/2) comes into the race on the back of a smooth win at Sandown in April for Godolphin, whilst Loving Dream (9/2) remains unexposed having finished second behind possible Oaks runner Noon Star at Wetherby last month.

Ocean Road (11/2) was a comfortable winner at Lingfield in December and is another to note, along with Divinely (10/1) who represents Aidan O’Brien. She was a well-beaten eighth in the Moyglare Stud Stakes at the Curragh in September, but had previously tasted success in Group Three company.

Save A Forest (10/1) has won both of her starts in good style at Wolverhampton and Windsor, whilst Regent (11/1) comes into the contest following two smooth successes on the All-Weather. Sherbert Lemon (20/1) and Invite (40/1) need to improve and complete the nine runners.

ITV Saturday selections

1.55pm Ascot – Lights On

2.15pm Lingfield – Technique

2.30pm Ascot - Deja

2.50pm Lingfield – Kyprios

3.10pm Haydock - Hooper

3.25pm Lingfield – Isabella Giles

3.40pm Ascot – Raising Sand

4.15pm Ascot – Group One Power

Odds via Betfair

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