15:15 Southwell

Saturday 22 February 2025

All14:4015:1515:5016:2517:0017:3018:0018:3019:00

BetUK Winter Derby Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 15:16 | Winning time: 2m 23.14s

(4)

Claymore²²

Age: 6| Weight: 9-3| J: Jonny Peate| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 97

150/1

Useful gelding at best but fifteen runs since last win in 2022. 18/1, 5¾ lengths third of 4 to Champagne Prince in conditions stakes at this C&D 22 days ago and he's right up against it here.

Form: 4636-93

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(3)

Pleasant Man^p²²

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: Hollie Doyle| T: Martin Dunne| OR: 82| C

150/1

Ended long losing run on the level in 8-runner handicap (9/2) at this course (14.1f) 22 days ago, driven out. First run for yard after leaving Lawrence Mullaney and easy to look elsewhere in this company.

Form: 5057-21

(7)

Royal Champion⁵³

Age: 7| Weight: 9-3| J: C Lee| T: K R Burke| OR: 113

6/4

Very smart gelding. First run since leaving Anthony & Sam Freedman following a spell in Australia when winning 6-runner listed race at Lingfield (10f, AW) 53 days ago by 1¾ lengths from Tyrrhenian Sea. The one to beat on these terms.

Form: 132/201-

(1)

Champagne Prince²²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: W Buick| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 107| CD

9/2

Has developed into a smart performer, cranking it up another notch when winning 4-runner conditions stakes at this C&D 22 days ago. Isn't one to underestimate despite rise in class.

Form: 06121-1

(5)

Military Academy^p1¹¹⁰

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| D

6/4

Late making it to the track but making up for lost time, career best when winning 7-runner listed race at Kempton (12f) by 3¼ lengths from Aimeric, despite missing break. Off 110 days. Cheekpieces on first time but there should be more to come from him as a 4-y-o.

Form: 1121-

(2)

Persica¹²⁶

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: S M Levey| T: R Hannon| OR: 110

17/2

Smart colt. Three wins from 8 runs last year. 50/1, 7¼ lengths eighth of 11 to Anmaat in Champion Stakes at Ascot (10f, soft), making effort earlier than ideal. Makes tapeta debut and he's a player on the figures.

Form: 101318-

(6)

Alanya¹³⁴

Age: 6| Weight: 9-0| J: D Egan| T: N Lupini| OR: 94

80/1

Useful mare. Respectable 7¼ lengths eighth of 15 to Lady Boba in Pride Stakes (40/1) at Newmarket (10f, good to soft). Off 134 days. Makes tapeta debut. First run for yard after leaving T. Gibney and this looks a tough assignment up in trip.

Form: 666468-

Forecasts

Royal Champion (6/4), Military Academy (6/4), Champagne Prince (9/2), Persica (17/2), Alanya (80/1), Pleasant Man (150/1), Claymore (150/1)

ROYAL CHAMPION is already a triple winner of listed events and the level he's capable of is good enough to win in Group company. Following a pretty routine win for his new yard back in Britain in December he's very much the one to beat, though lightly-raced improver Military Academy looks every inch the type to make up into a better 4-y-o. Champagne Prince is thriving so demands respect, too.