The Premier Raceday meeting on Saturday is at Lingfield Park. Willliam Hill sponsors a competitive seven race card at the Surrey track, highlighted by the Oaks Trial Stakes (15h25) and Derby Trial Stakes at 16h00.
Track conditions are likely to remain good.
Lingfield track looks good ahead of the weekend (Pic – Lingfield Racecourse)
Defiance can advertise his Epsom claims with victory in the Derby Trial taking on only eight rivals. Roger Varian’s charge beat Caviar Heights a short head on debut, form that’s worked out well with the runner-up posting a four-length Listed victory at Newmarket last week.
The Camelot colt finished strongly at Epsom on his seasonal return in the Blue Riband Trial over 10 furlongs. Beaten less than a length by Bellum Justum who got first run, he should show further improvement of the extra two furlongs here.
Earlier on the card the Gosdens look to land the spoils with their Cracksman filly Danielle in the Listed Oaks Trial. She made quite an impression when bolting up by 12-lengths at Wetherby last month and should take this on her way to Epsom.
She is a half-sister to Gold Cup winner Courage Mon Ami and should not be troubled by moving up to the Classic distance.
On Sunday it may be worth keeping an eye on Los Angeles who makes his seasonal return in the Gr3 Cashel Palace Hotel Derby Trial at Leopardstown (16h35).
Unbeaten in two starts including a French Group 1 at Saint Cloud last October, the Camelot colt faces four rivals and is well clear on official ratings. Wayne Lordan takes the ride with Ryan Moore heading to France.
Final declarations were not completed at time of writing, but it looks as if Ryan Moore will partner the exciting Henry Longfellow at Longchamp on Sunday in the French Guineas (15h30).
This Dubawi colt is unbeaten in three starts including the Gr1 National Stakes last season and looks the real deal. His dam was the great Minding, and he has won all his starts with the word soft in the going description. He will get that on Sunday, and here’s hoping he lands this on his way to greater things later in the season.
