Lingfield Derby Trial Runners - Epsom Derby Entries Among Those Declared

Nine runners are set to go to post for the Lingfield Derby trial on Saturday, a Group 3 worth plenty of interest with regard to Epsom’s colts’ Classic run this year on Saturday, 1st June. They include two runners for the Ballydoyle team, with Aidan O’Brien evidently keen on winning this trial for the third time in six years.

His pair are headed by Illinois, a full brother to former Chester Vase winner Venice Beach and half-brother to Arc winner Danedream, who was third on his reappearance in the Ballysax Stakes, as well as in a Group 1 at Saint-Cloud as a juvenile. His stablemate The Euphrates finished ahead of him in the Leopardstown contest, and the son of Frankel is another looking to build on some decent early promise.

Roger Varian claimed this contest in2021 with Third Realm and has declared Defiance for the race for owners Highclere racing. He was runner-up in the Listed Blue Riband Trial at the Derby’s home track of Epsom on return, a race in which Arabic Legend finished fourth for Karl Burke, who is also set to run Imperial Sovereign here.

Jane Chapple-Hyam is another trainer to declare a duo, with both Salamanca and At Vimeiro still maidens, with the remaining hopefuls Ambiente Friendly and Meydaan running in famous yellow silks of the Gredley Family and Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum respectively.

Oaks Trial Runners

A more select field of seven is set to contest the Lingfield Oaks Trial, run 35 minutes prior to the Derby Trial on the same card. The Gosden yard has enjoyed three winners in the race since 2017 and wide-margin Wetherby winner Danielle heads the septet declared for the 2024 renewal. She scored by 12 lengths to get off the mark at the third attempt last time out.

Aidan O’Brien also has interest in this race courtesy of Rubies Are Red, a full sister to 2016 Arc heroine Found. She is a maiden after two starts but has been deliberately declared here after missing an engagement at Chester earlier in the week.

There is royal interest in this week and potentially for the Epsom Oaks itself, as Ralph Beckett has declared Treasure here for His Majesty The King. The daughter of Mastercraftsman was a winner at Nottingham on her debut and will be joined by stablemate You Got To Me.

The remaining trio are made up of Bigtime Bridget for trainer Michael Bell, Cherry Burton for Sean Woods, and Molten Rock for Karl Burke.