Big Country to sidestep Winter Derby clash with old rival Wissahickon

Mick Appleby's stable star Big Country is to avoid another encounter with old foe Wissahickon in the Group 3 Betway Winter Derby at Lingfield on February 23.

A 6-1 chance with the sponsor, Big Country has twice finished second to John Gosden's classy four-year-old, most recently when beaten three-quarters of a length in the Listed Winter Derby Trial at the Surrey track last Saturday.

Despite receiving 3lb from the 2018 Cambridgeshire winner that day, Big Country was easily brushed aside in the straight after trying to hem in Wissahickon.

Before that, the five-year-old had finished a two-and-a-quarter-length second to the same rival in the Listed Quebec Stakes over the same course and distance in December.

Appleby said: "I don't really see the point in taking him on for a third time in the Winter Derby. We'll give Big Country a break and bring him back for the Group 3 Magnolia Stakes at Kempton. Beyond that there's the Easter Classic on Good Friday, which we've always had in mind, and we'll see if Wissahickon turns up there or not."

Betway make Big Country a 7-1 shot for the Good Friday highlight, with Wissahickon the 4-9 favourite.

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