Lingfield Racecourse in Surrey hosts the next round of Classic trials this afternoon.
Torrential rain during the week led track officials to move racing from the turf to the polytrack to ensure that the meeting goes ahead.
Godolphin’s leading fancy for Epsom, Military Order looks the one they all have to beat in the Listed Fitzdares Lingfield Derby Trial (16h35) following an impressive victory on his reappearance at Newbury.
That was over 10-furlongs on soft ground, but the way he finished, the extra 2-furlongs looks a positive. William Buick retains the ride.
William Buick
The Frankel colt is already a single-figure price for the Derby at Epsom, and he may even be challenging for favouritism if he impresses this weekend.
The Gosden yard are in great form at present, and they run the Kingman colt Inquiring Minds. A five-length winner of his only start at Newcastle earlier this month over 10-furlongs, he looked useful only needing to be pushed out by Rab Havlin over the final furlong to win convincingly. He will appreciate the step-up in trip and the poly track will not be an issue having already won on it at Newcastle.
The Royal runner, Circle Of Fire, is another to consider now going up in trip. Ryan Moore is aboard the Sir Michael Stoute trained son of Almanzor after a runner-up finish in a listed event over 10-furlongs at Newmarket last week. Officially the second highest rated runner, 4lbs behind the Godolphin colt, he will relish the 12 furlongs on breeding, but Godolphin beat him in that listed contest, so they should have a line on him.
Earlier on the card, Godolphin run two in the Fitzdares Oaks Trial (16h00). Jockey bookings suggest the lightly raced Teofilo filly Eternal Hope is their leading chance with Buick in the irons. She won her last start on the polytrack at Chelmsford in February over 10-furlongs easily, and now goes up an extra 2-furlongs in trip.
She tackles eight rivals including the Irish raider Be Happy for Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore. This daughter of Camelot contested a Group 3 last month in France over 11-furlongs and the form of that race looks the best on offer. She should continue the Ballydoyle dominance of the classic trials as witnessed earlier this week at Chester.
