Group Three Winter Derby Guide 2022

Lord NorthA two time Group 1 winner amassing just over £2 million in prize money. Lord North with an official rating of 123 is well clear of his rivals on all known form and should just be too good for these.

John Gosden does target this race and has a superb record with his horses. However, he is off a long lay off, after bursting a blood vessel when last seen last March.

He will definitely come on for the run, though he has won 4/4 when fresh, be it a lay off or the start of a new season. Goes well first time out and has class over the field, mighty hard to beat. 

Winner of this race last year for trainer John Gosden, although it was a weak affair relative to his opposition this year.

Forest Of Dean was beaten by Bangkok after winning the Winter Derby last year, and was subsequently well beaten in a listed race at Royal Ascot.

We haven't seen him since his poor run last time out (Royal Ascot). He can be expected to be ready for this once again for a trainer who clearly targets the race, although he will find some of his rivals today far too classy. 

Underwhelming when beaten at odds of 4/6 in the trial for this race (won by Fancy Man). Al Zaraqaan traded long odds three furlongs out, but faded dramatically into fourth.

He looks to have plenty of work on to turn around that form with Fancy Man. Al Zaraqaan is something of an "all or nothing" type horse, either winning, (5 times) or finishing last or second last, (4 times).

It's hard to know which side of the bed he will get out of, but if he gets an uncontested lead and is allowed to settle under Hollie Doyle, he might be difficult to peg back. 

The outsider of the field with bundles to find. He has ran the last three times in Bahrain, finishing well beaten on each start.

He has won at Lingfield before so enjoys the surface, but he will be comprehensively outclassed in this. Impossible to recommend. 

Two and a quarter lengths separated him, and Fancy Man last time out in the trial for this race.

He was comfortably beaten that day but did rally and stay on nicely to the line when Fancy Man had flown down the outside.

He has 5lb to find with Fancy Man and although King Of The South is steadily progressive, might struggle to bridge the gap with him off level weights, let alone Lord North who is 19lb clear on ratings.

Winner of the Trial for this race, Fancy Man is unbeaten at Lingfield. In the Winter Derby trial, he had King Of The South and Al Zaraqaan in behind.

Fancy Man won his trial quite convincingly and clearly loves the track, trip and surface. He ticks a lot boxes

He should go well with the recent run under his belt, but might find one or two of these two classy. 

Formerly of Roger Charlton, Barn Owl is now in the Gary Moore stable and owned by Steven Packham (owner of Goshen).

Barn Owl and Goshen have a similar profile with regards flat form, and Barn Owl's new connections may indicate a switch to the NH scene is imminent.

He will be outclassed in this field, although proving to be steadily progressive, he'll need to find just over two stone to reach the level of form on offer here, and off level weights, this rates as an impossible task. 

A German bred, William Haggas trained colt, who represents a high class level of form. He is 3/7 and has contested at the highest level.

When last seen, Alenquer was 9th of 14 in the Prix de L'arc de Triomphe. He was far too keen for his own good on bottomless ground so you can draw a line through that run at the end of a busy season.

Alenquer had actually beaten Derby and King George hero Adayar in the spring, and was short in the betting for the Derby but unfortunately missed the race.

If ready, Alenquer is a huge threat to this field. On pedigree, he might not appreciate this All-Weather surface, which is a concern. If handling the ground he's the main danger to Lord North.