Is there a genuine Epsom contender ready to pounce in the Derby Trial?

2.50 Lingfield
Novibet Derby Trial Stakes | Listed | 1m3½f 3yo colts and geldings | ITV4/Sky

It’s fair to say we’ve yet to see a standout performance from a Cazoo Derby contender to get the adrenaline really pumping for Epsom.

Perhaps it will be Frankel colt Adayar, a hugely impressive nine-length winner of a Nottingham maiden last backend, who can deliver the sort of display we’re all craving to see over the next week or so.

A general 12-1 shot with bookmakers for the premier Classic, Adayar, certain to start a short-priced favourite for the Lingfield Derby Trial, made a pleasing seasonal reappearance when a half-length runner-up to Alenquer at Sandown last month, and is reported to have done well since.

His trainer Charlie Appleby said: “Adayar has definitely come forward for his Sandown run and the step up in trip at Lingfield should bring about further improvement.

“I’m not worried by the ground or the weather forecast, which suggests there could be plenty of rain. It was very soft when he won at Nottingham last October and the likely ease in the ground may help him.

“He’s a big horse, but he seems well balanced and I’m hopeful he’ll handle the track.”

Supreme balance is, of course, one of the key requirements in a proper Derby horse, and Appleby, who sent out Masar to land the Derby in 2018, is hopeful Adayar will put himself firmly in the picture for the Group 1.

“He’s a horse who developed very well over the course of the winter, and what I liked most about him at Sandown was the way he travelled and the gear change he showed – he was quickening up the hill, not just staying on,” the trainer said.

“We’re all in the same boat at the moment in terms of testing the water for the Derby, and I’d like to think Adayar can prove himself a real contender.”

Charlie Appleby: 'I’d like to think Adayar can prove himself a real contender'Credit: Edward Whitaker

Appleby believes there is still time for a potential middle-distance star to emerge over the course of the next few days.

“The race itself [the Derby] is crying out for a breakthrough performance either at Lingfield this weekend or at York next week. If something wins impressively from those two meetings it wouldn’t surprise me at all to see the horse become favourite for the Derby.

“At this stage the best race has been the 2,000 Guineas. I think the first three [Poetic Flare, Master Of The Seas and Lucky Vega] are all good horses, but none are likely to go for the Derby.

“It could be that one of those who finished just behind them could go really well at Epsom.”

What they say

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Carlisle Bay and Kyprios
Carlisle Bay is a tough, solid horse. He's a horse we always thought would get a mile and a half well. He's a little bit lazy, a little bit laid- back but solid and he's been working nicely. Kyprios is a horse we always liked last year. He had a very nice run in a winners' race at Cork a couple of weeks ago. We always thought that he would get a mile and a half well. Both are in good form, we think both will get the trip well. It's a great trial for Epsom, horses learn a lot there and we're looking forward to seeing them run.

Roger Varian, trainer of Third Realm
It was always the plan to come to this Derby trial after his win at Nottingham, but soft ground would be a worry as he's a good-actioned horse by Sea The Stars.

Read more Saturday previews:

2.15 Lingfield: 'gorgeous filly' Ocean Road to test Oaks mettle for Hugo Palmer

2.30 Ascot: 'He's in great shape' – Crisford bullish about Without A Fight for Buckhounds

2.50 Lingfield: exciting Adayar could be the next Derby contender to boost a resurgent trial (Members' Club)

3.40 Ascot: high numbers could hold sway in Victoria Cup puzzle if forecast rain arrives

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