Talented cast assembled for BetUK Winter Derby Trial

Old adversaries The Foxes and Military Order headline a deep field for the inaugural BetUK Winter Derby Trial (1.00pm) at Southwell on Thursday, January 25.

The 11-furlong contest has been introduced as a prelude to the G3 BetUK Winter Derby, which takes place at the Nottinghamshire course for the first time on February 24.

The Foxes and Military Order both lined up in the G1 Derby on the back of recognised trial victories, with The Foxes taking York’s G2 Dante Stakes and Military Order scoring on the all-weather at Lingfield Park.

The Foxes fared best of the duo in fifth at Epsom Downs and looked unlucky on his next start for Andrew Balding in the G1 Belmont Derby, in which he met interference as he went down by a length in second.

Military Order trailed home last in the Derby and the full-brother to Adayar again failed to beat a rival as he tackled an extended mile and three-quarters in a Chester Listed race in September.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: “This will be Military Order’s first start since being gelded and I have been pleased with his preparation.

“He has been running over further but I feel that dropping back in trip is going to suit. He won over 10 furlongs at Newbury at the start of last season and then over a sharp mile and a half around Lingfield in the Derby Trial.

“This looks a decent race, with The Foxes probably bringing the strongest form into it. If we can be competitive against horses like him, it should hopefully steer us in the right direction for the coming months.”

G3 victor Claymore aims to build on an encouraging second in the Listed Prix Lyphard at Deauville in November. It was a timely return to form for the five-year-old, who captured the Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot in 2022.

Trainer Jane Chapple-Hyam said: “Claymore has been in good shape since Deauville and is ready to go with a view to coming back for the Winter Derby.

“It was really good to see him bounce back last time, although this looks a tough little race. I suspect with a furlong to go that it will be wide open!

“I think a mile and three furlongs will be fine for him. If you look at his Deauville run, he was really finishing, so I don’t have any concerns.

“I already have Blanchland pencilled in for Finals Day and Claymore could join him. We will see how things go between now and then.”

Enemy (Ian Williams) is the only runner who is not among the initial entries for the BetUK Winter Derby. Although more accustomed to staying distances, the seven-year-old was an impressive winner of a 12-furlong handicap at Meydan last year.

Following Oh So Grand’s success in the Winter Oaks last weekend, Simon & Ed Crisford and owner Mohammed Al Nabouda are chasing another notable win with Base Note, who was runner-up in the Listed BetUK Quebec Stakes on December 31.

G2 winner Sir Busker (William Knight) completes the field having shown some of his old sparkle on his last two appearances, most recently finishing third at Newcastle’s AWC Trials Day.

For more information, please visit https://www.awchampionships.co.uk