Keith Melrose analyses a race which could throw up a Derby candidate

Betfair Exchange Free Bet Streak Newmarket Stakes (Listed) | 1m2f | 3yo | ITV/RTV

Unless you believe that Pinatubo will stay 1m4f, the Derby lacks a standout candidate and that means connections of Epsom hopefuls will be looking for trials wherever they can find them.

The Newmarket Stakes is not normally a leading Derby trial but it could step into the role. The top two in the betting, Waldkonig and Al Aasy, are in the first half-dozen or so in the Derby market.

Waldkonig could hardly have been more impressive on his debut at Wolverhampton in December and is a half-brother to Arc winner Waldgeist. That he looked speedy over a mile and half a furlong and is by Kingman raise doubts over 1m4f, but should not trouble him too much over 1m2f.

Al Aasy was third in a maiden here in October but did everything easily until running green under pressure. He is bred to be high-class over middle distances and should leave that form well behind.

Punctuation, like Waldkonig, won an all-weather maiden by a wide margin. He is notable for his sheer size. He looked a different species to the rest when stretching 11 lengths clear in a weak race at Kempton. It would be no surprise to see him on the St Leger trail later in the year as he looks a real stayer.

The best form actually belongs to Waldkonig's stablemate Mishriff, who was second in a valuable race in Saudi Arabia in February. He has had a try in good company, which cannot be said for the other principals, and his form is still 5lb off the ten-year standard for a winning performance in this race.

What the connections say

John Gosden, trainer of Cherokee Trail, Mishriff and Waldkonig
Cherokee Trail didn't like the kickback when he ran in Saudi Arabia in February but he should appreciate this trip and is in good order. Mishriff fared better in Riyadh and was second. Since then we've had this race in mind. He's got a good attitude and should like the trip. We have always said we would run Waldkonig in a novice first time out this season but with no racing in April or May the fixture list has become more compacted so we've let him take his chance. He's worked nicely but will come on for the experience and the race.

Michael Bell, trainer of Formality
He ran a very pleasing race when fifth on his debut here. He would normally have run in a maiden but he probably would have been balloted out as a once-raced three-year-old. We think he's a nice horse and thought it was worth finding out sooner rather than later. He's a good mover who wouldn't want extremes in terms of ground.

Simon Crisford, co-trainer of Luncies
Luncies pleased us greatly when he won on debut at Lingfield and he deserves to take his chance in a race of this quality.

Oisin Murphy: rides the Andrew Balding-trained PunctuationCredit: Patrick McCann

Oisin Murphy, rider of Punctuation
He’s a big, raw horse. The ground will probably be fast enough for him. I really like him, but this is a competitive race and likely a stepping stone for something further down the line.

Oliver Cole, co-trainer of The First King
Its a bit of a fact-finding mission but he goes there in good form. He hasn't done much wrong and is genuine. We've been encouraged by what we've seen on the track and he should run a good race.
Reporting by Jonathan Harding

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