Expert tipster analysis and key quotes for the Derby Trial at Lingfield

3.15 Lingfield
Betsafe Derby Trial Stakes (Listed) | 1m3½f | 3yo colts & geldings | ITV4/SSR

Last year Anthony Van Dyck became the first winner of this trial to go on to land the Investec Derby since High-Rise in 1998, but he was trained by Aidan O'Brien and there are, understandably, no Coolmore runners this time.

As a result this renewal has a weak look to it with two of the front three in the market having taken three attempts to get off the mark.

The Andrew Balding-trained Berkshire Rocco followed his novice success with a third in the Zetland, but he was beaten nearly four lengths and was a place behind Oaks Trial favourite Miss Yoda.

That was his first attempt on bad ground, so he might prove better for a return to a faster surface, and the ground may be more of a worry for his market rival King Carney.

Described as "very exciting" by trainer Charlie Fellowes last term, he won the last two of his four starts as a juvenile including the Listed Silver Tankard at Pontefract, but both wins came on soft ground, on which he looked very much at home.

He did display a likeable attitude, which will be an asset, especially if he is taken on for the lead by King's Caper and Dark Heart, who also made the running last season.

English King: market principal for Ed WalkerCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

Less exposed is Ed Walker's English King, who has plenty of middle-distance performers in his pedigree and relished the step up to 1m2f when off the mark at Newcastle. That was an all-weather maiden, but the front two were clear and the runner-up was a short price and won next time, so there is substance to the form.

Brian Meehan's Sound Of Cannons has seemingly been exposed in Group/Listed company, but he did win first time out last season and does have the form to be a factor assuming none of the others have big improvement in them.

What they say

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of King Carney
It's the right race to go for and he looks one of the ones to beat. He's not the biggest but he's filled out and done some really good pieces of work. He's quite an excitable horse so he's one you keep a lid on at home.

Paul Spickett, owner of Berkshire Rocco
I'm told he's going well and everything is in the right place for a good run, so we're very hopeful. The butterflies are certainly there for us. We've been lucky to have some nice horses but he's probably the most exciting one we've had and we're looking forward to the year with him.

Sam Sangster, racing manager for Centurion Thoroughbreds, owners of Sound Of Cannons
We took a bit of a gamble with the weather having to declare 72 hours before the race and I'm not sure how much rain they've had or are going to have. His best run was on heavy ground and he's bred to want a little cut, so we'll have to see how it goes and what happens with the weather before the race. He did a very nice piece of work with Cepheus, who runs in the 2,000 Guineas, and he's done nothing but go the right way.

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