Listed Derby Trial Stakes Lingfield Guide 2023

Sir Michael Stoute sends the promising son of Almanzor Circle Of Fire to Lingfield for his second go at claiming listed success. The three-year-old followed up a third-place finish on debut at Leicester with a three-length victory at Salisbury in September last year. He then improved further to finish second in listed Newmarket event last Friday, finishing just under two lengths behind winner Castle Way.

Looks the progressive type and he has leading claims on that form. Should be set for a good race against the likes of Military Order here. Ryan Moore does the steering.

James Tate has two here at Lingfield on Saturday in the Listed Derby Trial Stakes with Regal Empire and market outsider Think First. The latter has had an indifferent start to his career so far, winning twice at Chelmsford City but finished fourth of five in his only run in listed company, in Epsom Downs event won by Epictetus last month.

Others make more appeal on form, and he may be set for a struggle here. Marco Ghiani does the steering for Tate.

Andrew Balding sends one here with his three-year-old colt Ndaawi. The 96-rated stayer has done well so far in his career, following up third on debut at Newmarket with back-to-back wins at Goodwood and Epsom Downs, showing signs of progression on both starts. A little disappointing when thrust into French group one at Saint-Cloud on his final appearance of 2022, finishing seventh but possibly unfair to judge his chances here on that run.

Others make slightly more appeal on form but should not be discounted on UK form. Oisin Murphy is on board.

William Haggas boasts one in the Listed Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday with three-year-old Laafi. We haven’t seen him for 199 days since he put his debut fifth-place finish at Newmarket behind him, when winning 1m class four Nottingham maiden in October by half a length to second place Kadovar.

Moves up in company now for this Lingfield race and it is slightly difficult to predict his chances on the back of those two outings but could be an interesting runner if inexperience doesn’t play too much of a part.

Charlie Appleby sends one to the Listed Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday, boasting current market favourite Military Order. The three-year-old arrives here in good form, shaking off fourth-place finish on debut at Newmarket in October to win his next two races, at the same course later that month and on reappearance this year at Newbury, where he beat Exoplanet by four lengths. Both wins have come at class two level and he is well worth a shot at listed success here at Lingfield.

This brother of Adayar looks a real top prospect for Appleby and he should be the one to beat. William Buick is on board.

Ed Walker has one runner in this Lingfield contest with the lightly raced three-year-old Waipiro. The colt’s sire is Australia and he showed good signs on his second start, putting a sixth-place finish on debut at Kempton behind him by winning 1m 2f novice at Newmarket last month by just over three lengths to 9/4fav Liberty Lane.

Tom Marquand did the steering that day but Rob Hornby is booked to ride the three-year-old who deserves respect up in trip again.

James Tate sends two of his runners to Lingfield for this contest on Saturday with Think First and Regal Empire. The latter finished ninth on debut at the beginning of this year at Wolverhampton but has finished in the top three on all four occasions since, including two wins at Southwell on separate occasions.

Hasn’t been seen above class three level yet but his form in the handicaps warrant a shot at this listed event, although it’s unlikely that he wins here against some good prospects.

John and Thady Gosden boast one in the Listed Derby Trial with Inquiring Minds. This Kingman colt has only had the one run so far but showed plenty of promise on that debut at Newcastle at the beginning of the month, beating Laser Guided by five lengths to claim class five 1m 2f maiden success.

Now asked to improve a lot to compete in listed company but on that showing there is no reason why he couldn’t be in with a shout. On the shortlist.