The puzzle for punters this weekend is the Victoria Cup at Ascot where 29 horses have been declared for the seven furlong handicap.
Arnold Lane has top weight to carry for Mick Channon having won his last two starts including a Group 3 in Germany last time out. This seven-furlong trip seems to be his optimum.
Jamsie travels over from Ireland for David Marnane. He is a regular fixture this side of the Irish Sea and last season he was second in the Buckingham Palace Stakes, sixth in the Bunbury Cup and filled the same spot in the Stewards Cup. This trip suits him well enough but he will have to overcome a career high mark to win.
Bronze Prince wouldn't be out of it for in-form trainer Michael Attwater. This race has been his aim since he won a conditions stakes at Kempton in March. He made all there, winning impressively. He won a heritage handicap over this course and distance when in the care of John Gosden a couple of seasons ago and providing the ground isn't too fast could give a good account of himself.
Marco Botti is a man making his mark in the training ranks and his runner
Solar Deity has claims too despite all five of his wins coming on the all-weather; he is yet to win in four starts on grass though. Unlike some of the protagonists in this, he would prefer top of the ground so if the rain doesn't arrive that will be a bonus. So a lot depends on what the weather does before the off, but I'm going to go with Lightning Cloud and hope he jumps out of the stalls on terms with the other runners.
Lingfield
Away from that meeting and Lingfield stage their Derby and Oaks Trials.
Greatwood is the likely favourite for the Derby Trial for Luca Cumani and Jamie Spencer. There is the forecast of some rain, but it may not amount to too much which would be music to his trainer's ears. He was narrowly beaten in a valuable sales race on his reappearance at Newmarket and so long as it doesn't get too testing he has a great chance. He had the option of the Dante next week, but comes here instead in a bid to enhance his Derby claims and he has reportedly improved for that latest run.
If there is a likely fly in the ointment it could be the Aidan O'Brien-trained
Nevis. He won't mind if the ground eases and is bred in the purple being out of an Irish Oaks winner in Moonstone. He has a bit to find, but it wouldn't be a huge shock if he does.
We should know a lot more about the Derby this weekend with this domestic trial and the Derrinstown Stud at Leopardstown on Sunday where Ballydoyle have six of the 12 entries. Then of course there is York to look forward to next week.
Aidan O'Brien is without a representative in the Oaks Trial at Lingfield. Seven are declared and all but
Northern Star and
Whippy Cream are entered in the Epsom classic. Ralph Beckett runs
Secret Gesture and she is bred to excel over middle distances this year. She didn't have the opportunity to prove herself on this better ground last year, but her trainer thinks she will improve for it. I fancy her to get off to a winning start this term.
Plus...
Haydock stage one of the few mixed cards that takes place in Britain on Saturday and the Swinton Hurdle is the feature race. Declarations haven't been made at the time of writing but I'll update you on the race on
Sky Sports News at the weekend.
The French 1000 and 2000 Guineas take place at Longchamp on Sunday and Richard Hannon and Richard Hughes can continue their classic run with
Olympic Glory in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains. This race has always been the plan for the Greenham winner and that run will have help get him fitter and he will also appreciate the extra furlong in this.
Havana Gold also holds an entry. I'll be back with my next preview at the beginning of the week ahead of York's Dante meeting.
Selections
Lightning Cloud in the Victoria Cup @ 14/1 with Sky Bet
Greatwood in the Lingfield Derby Trial
Secret Gesture in the Lingfield Oaks Trial
Olympic Glory in the Poule d'Essai des Poulains at Longchamp on Sunday
