Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes preview: Anthony Van Dyck out to stamp Epsom credentials
Views from connections and a selection from resident tipster Man On The Spot ahead of Saturday's Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield.
What the trainers say
A fascinating week of Classic trials sees the action head to Lingfield on Saturday, where Aidan O'Brien unleashes yet another potential Investec Derby candidate in the shape of Anthony Van Dyck.
Headlining a field of 10 for the RaceBets Derby Trial Stakes, the son of Galileo was a high-class juvenile, finishing second to Quorto in the National Stakes at the Curragh and running a fine third behind Too Darn Hot in the Dewhurst at Newmarket.
His final start came in the Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf, where he was ninth to the Charlie Appleby-trained Line Of Duty.
O'Brien, who dominated at Chester's May meeting with Sir Dragonet and Circus Maximus, said: "I'm very happy with him.
"About a month ago he had a few easy days, so he is going to improve plenty for the run, but he is in good form and is ready to start. He needs to start now if he is going to the Derby."
He added: "America was at the end of a long hard year for him and I think he was drawn wide (stall 14), but I stand to be corrected on that.
"He was slow away and got back a long way, so really it was probably a non-event. He came out of it well and we've been happy with him the last three weeks."
Ed Walker expects to find out a lot more about the Derby prospects of Cap Francais, who already has experience of Epsom having come home to good effect when second in the Blue Riband Trial over 10 furlongs last month.
He said: "I'm very excited to see him step up in trip. He came out of Epsom very well. He will hopefully behave a bit better having got that freshness out of him.
"It's an interesting race with Aidan running Anthony Van Dyck, so we'll see where we are. We need to make a decision whether we supplement him for the Derby or not and Saturday will help us with that decision.
"I thought the Blue Riband was a good renewal and won by a exceptionally well-bred horse in Cape Of Good Hope, and I know the John Gosden team liked the third horse, Turgenev.
"Arguably we were unlucky not to be a bit closer or even won, which was a bit annoying as that would have saved a supplementary fee if we get that far. I'm really looking forward to Lingfield and I think the track and trip and everything will be fine."
The William Haggas-trained Pablo Escobarr needs to step up on his narrow defeat in a Bath handicap - but it is worth noting he was only half a length in arrears of Line Of Duty in a Goodwood maiden last year.
Haggas said: "He's a lovely horse, I'm just sorry Anthony Van Dyck is running. He's a very genuine horse and he will run a good race. He probably lacks a gear, but he's very genuine and I think he'll run well."
In what looks a strong renewal, Andrew Balding's Ranch Hand defends a two-race unbeaten record, while Hiroshima (John Ryan), Severance (Mick Channon) and Eagles By Day (Michael Bell) are all last-time-out winners.
Man On The Spot preview
A decent renewal for a contest of only Listed status. After the week Aidan O'Brien has enjoyed at Chester's Derby trials, ANTHONY VAN DYCK rates the obvious starting point and his established Group 1 form unquestionably sets the standard. He handled yielding ground with aplomb when landing the Group 2 Futurity Stakes at the Curragh last term so conditions should not prove an issue and he is hard to oppose. Eagles By Day only landed a Salisbury maiden but the style of success indicated he's one with a real future - he could be very interesting if handling soft ground. Cap Francais was an excellent second in Epsom's Blue Riband Trial and is likely to progress further while Ranch Hand and Severance are unexposed and could be anything.
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What the trainers say
William Haggas is also represented in the RaceBets-sponsored Oaks Trial, through the once-raced Frankellina.
The daughter of Frankel, who carries the well-known silks of Anthony Oppenheimer, only won by a head over a mile at Yarmouth in October, but very much caught the eye when the penny dropped.
Haggas said: "She's lovely. The form of her maiden is terrible, but she'll stay well.
"She's only just ready to run. I had a setback with her and if I've got any Oaks aspirations I've got to get on with it, so that is what I'm doing.
"Epsom is at the end of May, it's early this year, Goodwood is too close, so it was between Lingfield or York and I think she stays well so we are going to Lingfield."
Lingfield all-weather maiden winner Anapurna represents John Gosden and Frankie Dettori, with Tauteke a likely improver for Roger Varian.
Man On The Spot preview
All have revealed potential and much will depend on the levels of improvement that are forthcoming from a choicely-bred field. Matters are not made any simpler by the fact that Cape Islay is the only one to have encountered soft ground but she is more exposed than most here. Frankie Dettori has gone with Anapurna of the Gosden duo and she's likely to improve considerably on achievements to date, with Tauteke and King Power also falling into that category. However, FRANKELLINA did well to oblige on her juvenile debut and has some high-class entries in the future. She should handle trip and ground so receives a cautious vote.
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