Lingfield's Derby and Oaks Trial card to take place on turf track after course passed fit for racing

Lingfield’s turf track has been passed fit for racing for Saturday’s Oaks and Derby Trial card after a BHA course inspector visited the Surrey venue on Tuesday.

Officials at the Arena Racing Company-owned track were unable to water last month after a request from the Environment Agency following a prolonged dry spell.

The groundstaff team commenced a 24-hour daily watering cycle on Thursday and the going is described as good to firm.

Lingfield’s clerk of the course Stephanie Wethered said: “It’s fantastic news to get the go-ahead for the turf track and the groundsteam have worked incredibly hard to achieve this ahead of Saturday.

“We’ll water as necessary up to racing and, while our main aim is to maintain the current description, we may get to the easy side of good to firm.”

Aidan O’Brien has Group 3-placed Giselle entered in the Oaks Trial (2.25) and four possibles in the Derby Trial (3.00), while Ralph Beckett, who won the Oaks Trial with You Got To Me, has multiple entries in both races worth £60,000.

The first five races on the card feature in ITV’s coverage, including the William Hill Chartwell Fillies’ Stakes (3.35) that could feature Oh So Sharp Stakes second Cathedral.

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