Derby and Oaks Hopefuls on trial at Lingfield
Summer is definitely here with two Classic trials at Lingfield the highlight of a racing feast this afternoon and three more Flat meetings at Ascot, Haydock and Nottingham plus jumping at Hexham and two evening cards at Warwick and Thirsk.
If the year ends in an "8", it's time to back Luca Cumani's horses in the Derby. Following on from Epsom successes with Kahyasi in 1988 and High-Rise in 1998, the Italian-born trainer saddles favourite Curtain Call in today's totesport.com Derby Trial at Lingfield. Both his previous winners won this race before victory in the Classic and if the Sadlers Wells colt can impress this afternoon, he will have a tremendous chance at Epsom.
"Curtain Call has thrived in his work," reports Cumani. "He takes it well - and the more a horse can take, the better he becomes."
Chief danger will be the tenacious Campanologist, recently transferred from Mark Johnston's stable to Godolphin, although he has yet to race beyond nine furlongs. All-conquering Aidan O'Brien runs two - of which stable jockey Johnny Murtagh has preferred Alessandro Volta - while By Command has classy breeding and good speed, though his trainer John Dunlop appears cautious about his staying prospects.
The Oaks trial is generally a lower-profile affair than the colts' race and this year looks unlikely to be different, although Look Here is a promising filly and her victory over this week's impressive Chester Vase winner Doctor Fremantle makes her the pick on form. Watch out for in-form Andrew Balding's runner Amanjena to put in a good show too.
At Ascot, the feature race is the £52,000 Victoria Cup - a handicap to get everyone reaching for the pin with a field of 25 runners. Al Khaleej looks bound to put up a bold show after impressing on his seasonal debut last month but, at bigger odds, South Cape, a course and distance winner here appears a viable alternative with apprentice Matthew Davies, who won on him at Chester last year, taking seven pounds off his back today. Old-timer Mine cannot be ruled out with ground and distance to his liking and a good run in this year's Lincoln behind him.
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