Midnite Winter Derby Stakes (Group 3)

Off time: 14:00 | Winning time: 2m 4.15s

(4)

Boiling Point¹⁴⁷

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: S H James| T: K R Burke| OR: 114

5/1

Listed winner for Roger Varian and even better for this yard, including when winning 23-runner Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket (9f) on final outing in September. Benefited from a good track position that day but looks more than capable of making the breakthrough at this level all the same.

Form: 94/5421-

(3)

Chancellor¹⁴

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R Havlin| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 111

4/6

Has returned a much-improved performer since gelding and breathing operations, starting with winning 7f handicap at Kempton in November. Shade unlucky not to follow up in a listed event there next time and made no mistake at Southwell subsequently. Big chance if seeing out the 2f longer trip.

Form: 1/6712-1

(2)

Military Academy^b²¹

Age: 5| Weight: 9-2| J: Billy Loughnane| T: Jane Chapple-Hyam| OR: 101| D

33/1

Showed signs of temperament towards the end of a winless 4-y-o season for the Gosdens. Proved he retains a large chunk of ability on second run for new yard in January and again ran creditably in a small-field affair over C&D on his most recent outing, but faces a much stiffer task on these terms.

Form: 4565-72

(1)

Nebras^p⁵²

Age: 4| Weight: 9-2| J: R L Moore| T: J & T Gosden| OR: 109| CD

11/2

Has taken well to front running, improving again to follow up his handicap win at Newcastle in a listed event over this C&D in December. Has more on his plate now, however.

Form: 269211-

(5)

Sky Safari^t³⁵

Age: 5| Weight: 8-13| J: Daniel Muscutt| T: J R Fanshawe| OR: 102| C

6/1

Signed off 2025 by winning pair of handicaps and 10-runner listed event here (8f, AW) in November. Had her winning run ended but improved again back in handicap company when second on her first start at this trip over C&D last month and is well worth her place in this grade.

Form: 20111-2

Forecasts

Chancellor (4/6), Boiling Point (5/1), Nebras (11/2), Sky Safari (6/1), Military Academy (33/1)

BOILING POINT produced a performance verging on very smart when landing the Cambridgeshire at Newmarket in September, which suggests he's more than capable of making the breakthrough at this level. Chancellor has returned from a break a much-improved model and is sure to be a big factor if the longer trip doesn't pose a problem.