Out to beat century with older stars and fillies to the fore

Although Ralph Beckett became a Classic-winning trainer nearly a decade ago, it was not until last season that he achieved another career ambition by reaching the 100-winner mark for the first time.

Indeed, a figure of 101 – 21 above Beckett's previous best – was perhaps indicative of a significant development in the popular trainer's operation inasmuch as he now has the quantity to match the undoubted quality. Put simply, Beckett has more room to manoeuvre nowadays: when he bought Kimpton Down in late 2010, the yard's capacity was only 72 – now it is up to 142.

"I really wanted to train 100 winners last year so I suppose the target has to be to beat last year's score now," explains the trainer, whose stable strength again seems to lie in his traditional stronghold of the three-year-old fillies' department, which should see him well represented in various Oaks trials over the next few weeks, while the former David Wachman-trained colt will set to test the Derby waters at Sandown later this week.