Betway Winter Derby Trial Stakes (Listed)

Off time: 15:25 | Winning time: 2m 4.65s

(1)

Al Zaraqaan²³

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Hollie Doyle| T: A Watson| OR: 105| C| D

6/4

Smart gelding who maintained his 100% record on all-weather when landing 3-runner conditions' event (10f) on yard debut at Newcastle recently. Rates a big player again.

Form: 14404-1

(6)

Fancy Man¹⁴⁷

Age: 4| Weight: 9-0| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 109| C

9/4

Smart colt. 4/11, made most of good opportunity to land 4-runner minor event at this course (12f, AW) in September. Arrives here fresh and he's anoter with good claims dropping back in trip.

Form: 533221-

(4)

King Of The South^v³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 9-0| J: Callum Shepherd| T: W J Knight| OR: 104| D

4/1

Progressive in AW handicaps equipped with a visor last year, winning 3 times and dug deep to go in again at Southwell (11f) on New Year's Day. Worth his place at this higher level.

Form: 13711-1

(5)

Living Legend¹⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: Jason Hart| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 101| C| D

7/1

Smart gelding. Latest win at Pontefract in September. 11/2, best effort yet when third of 10 in handicap at this course (12f, AW) 14 days ago. No reason why he won't give another good account.

Form: 42613-3

(3)

Rose Of Kildare⁵¹¹

Age: 5| Weight: 8-9| J: Cieren Fallon| T: C & M Johnston| OR: 102| BF| D

22/1

Tough filly who made all to land Group 3 Musidora at York in 2020. Absent since finishing third in German Group 2 later that year but unlikely to be lacking for fitness on belated return.

Form: 933153/

(2)

Starry Eyes⁹

Age: 6| Weight: 8-9| J: Darragh Keenan| T: A Carson| OR: 71| C

250/1

Fair mare. Course winner. 33/1, fifth of 7 in handicap at Southwell (8.1f) 9 days ago, needing stronger gallop. However, she's hard to make a case for stepping up markedly in grade here.

Form: 3382-65

Forecasts

Al Zaraqaan (6/4), Fancy Man (9/4), King Of The South (4/1), Living Legend (7/1), Rose Of Kildare (22/1), Starry Eyes (250/1)

AL ZARAQAAN got back on track when making a winning debut for Archie Watson at Newcastle (10.2f) 23 days ago, maintaining his 100% record on artificial surfaces to boot, and he gets the nod to continue the good work now partnered by Hollie Doyle. Fancy Man, for Richard Hannon, and King of The South, who continues to go the right way on all weather, head up the dangers.