'The best trial yet' - find out how impressed our judges were with Third Realm
'He has a decent chance'
I have been team Bolshoi Ballet so far, but all that could go up in flames in the Derrinstown on Sunday, whereas Third Realm has already shown what he can do.
Like the trials at Chester's May meeting, I'm not sure this form represented much as the Aidan O'Brian-trained pair were bitterly disappointing and Adayar, who finished second, was running for a stable whose horses are not producing their best right now.
However, Third Realm appeared to handle the track really well and showed a striking turn of foot to settle the race at the top of the straight. The time was five seconds quicker than the Oaks Trial, too.
The win proved he could handle softer ground and he comes from a wonderful family so looks to have a decent chance of emulating his sire Sea The Stars in a division where there is no standout performer.
Maddy Playle, RPTV
Race report: Another High-Rise? Third Realm storms into Derby picture at Lingfield
'The best trial for the Derby yet'
There's obviously still the Derrinstown at Leopardstown on Sunday and York's Dante to come, but I thought Third Realm put up the best trial for the Derby yet and he is a player.
I was impressed with how easily he made up ground from the rear to take over and he never looked like being caught once in front. It was a striking performance on just his third start.
The Cazoo Derby at Epsom will obviously be a different kettle of fish and he will face better opposition, but Third Realm deserves to take his chance, and double-figure odds look generous. High-Rise won at Lingfield for the same owner before winning the Derby in 1998.
Graeme Rodway, tipster
Race replay: Third Realm beats Adayar in the Derby Trial
'Serious candidate'
Third Realm has every right to enter the Cazoo Derby equation after picking up his rivals smartly turning into the straight at Lingfield and then showing no signs of stopping on the way to the line.
British-trained false dawns in the Premier Classic have been ten-a-penny over the last decade and it remains to be seen if there is more depth to the Derrinstown Trial or the Dante, but he looks a handy horse who should cope with Epsom.
Moreover, Third Realm has a turn of foot, while neither Roger Varian nor Sheikh Obaid would be entertaining thoughts of the Derby with anything short of a serious candidate.
Oaks Trial winner Sherbet Lemon showed a decent attitude and Archie Watson may well give serious consideration to Epsom, although he will be well aware she will need to progress again to get involved.
Varian may not be thinking about the Oaks for runner-up Save A Forest, but she did well to come from last to press the winner, and it is worth noting her Ribblesdale entry.
Scott Burton, reporter
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Published on 8 May 2021inNews
Last updated 18:31, 8 May 2021
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