Aidan O'Brien poised to sweep another Derby trial - but British trainer says there is 'plenty to like' about his contender

Derby trials, Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore just seem to go hand-in-hand these days and another plethora of potentially top-class middle-distance three-year-old colts strutted their stuff for Ballydoyle at Chester this week. Now it is the Lingfield version that is in their sights.

O'Brien saddles Puppet Master and Stay True, and the market could not split them before Moore chose to ride Puppet Master. He is now the red-hot favourite purely because of that, although the form of his fourth in the Ballysax at Leopardstown in March is stacking up well.

Ballysax runner-up Lambourn landed the Chester Vase on Wednesday and fifth-placed Wemightakedlongway has since won a Group 3 race. Maybe that is what swung Moore in his decision, but do not totally discount Stay True and Derby winning-rider Richard Kingscote.

He was impressive when winning a Leopardstown maiden on his debut last month and is by Galileo out of a mare who recorded her highest Racing Post Rating on firm going. That indicates the lightning quick ground that is likely to prevail at Lingfield will suit Stay True.

However, from ten runners in the race all three of O'Brien's winners were ridden by Moore. That is further evidence that Puppet Master is the first string.

However, it is not all about Ballydoyle. Roger Varian saddled Third Realm to win the race four years ago and thwarted the O'Brien-trained Kyprios, who finished only fourth that day before going on to be a champion stayer. Derby hero Adayar was also runner-up in that event.

Varian saddles Rahiebb, who has twice come up short in novice company since winning on his debut at Newcastle. He showed he handles turf at Haydock last time, when only a neck behind the well-touted William Haggas-trained runner Opportunity. That was a solid effort.

However, he still has 11lb to find with top-rated Puppet Master on Racing Post Ratings and maybe the better British hope is Prince Of The Seas. He is the second-highest-rated runner judging on RPRs and looks far better than he was able to show when fifth at Epsom last time.

Prince Of The Seas recorded a career-best effort despite looking ill at ease on the camber in the straight and is bred to be a Group performer. He is by Sea The Stars out of the smart mare Sweet Firebird, who is herself a half-sister to 1999 champion sprinter Stravinsky.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

O'Brien: 'They're two nice colts'

Aidan O'Brien is double-handed in the Derby Trial, a race he has won six times including with subsequent Epsom hero Anthony Van Dyck.

This time he relies upon Puppet Master, ridden by Ryan Moore, and Stay True, the mount of Richard Kingscote.

"They're two nice colts," said O'Brien. "Ryan is on Puppet Master and we were delighted with him last time at Leopardstown. We think the extra trip will suit him. 

"He's more experienced than Stay True but, in saying that, Stay True is a really lovely horse. He's still a baby, though. This will be a good experience for him and we'll learn a lot about him." 

Fast ground to suit Prince Of The Seas

O'Brien boasts the strongest hand, but the five runners in behind all deserve to take their place.

Prince Of The Seas, trained by Ralph Beckett, posted his highest RPR in three starts when fifth to Sea Scout in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom last month.

He finished five and a half lengths behind the winner, but steps up in trip here and will appreciate the quick ground according to Beckett.

Ralph Beckett: trainer of Derby trial contender Prince Of The SeasCredit: Edward Whitaker

"He ran well at Epsom and this should suit him well," the trainer said. "He likes fast ground."

Prince Of The Seas holds an entry for the Irish Derby next month and he should come forward from what he showed at Epsom, especially after ending his juvenile campaign with a victory over a mile at Sandown.

Hannon expecting improvement

It has been nine years since Richard Hannon last tasted success in this race and he is represented by last-time-out winner Nightime Dancer.

A length and three-quarters scorer at Southwell last month, Sean Levey's mount is a general 12-1 chance as he steps out of novice company for the first time.

Hannon, who struck with Humphrey Bogart in 2016, said: "The form of his Southwell win has worked out quite nicely, and there's a strong line between him and Rahiebb through Renato, and he’s already beaten Our 'Enery, so there's plenty to like. 

"While we don't have too many Derby contenders, those that have run have been decent, and he gets the trip well; in fact, he could be even better over further. 

"He's by a stallion who is fast becoming a top sire [Ghaiyyath], especially for these middle-distance horses. We're putting him in the deep end, but I think he can cope."

Newmarket contenders

Rahiebb has made a bright start for Roger Varian this year, winning on his debut at Newcastle before finishing second on his next two starts, and Varian is excited to see him back out.

He said: "I'm looking forward to running him, he's a nice horse. We will learn a little bit more about him here."

Rogue Impact made a winning start to life with James Owen on the all-weather last month and the trainer believes he can run another big race.

Rahiebb: represents Roger Varian at Lingfield on SaturdayCredit: Grossick Racing

The Study Of Man colt joined the yard from Peter Chapple-Hyam, where he finished tenth of 12 in a Newmarket maiden last summer.

"He's doing well," said Owen. "He won at Lingfield when he broke his maiden on the all-weather and he's taken a step forward from that, which he'll need to. He holds a Derby entry and he'll stay well. We'll know where we are with him after this."

Our 'Enery runs on the turf for the first time this season and completes a small but competitive field.
Reporting by Liam Headd

Saturday's big-race insight:

1.15 Lingfield: Aidan O'Brien has word of warning for favourite backers as Giselle begins her potential route to the Oaks 

1.35 Haydock: Superb Swinton shows the jumps is back - and there's no Willie Mullins to beat this time on a marvellous mixed Merseyside card 

2.40 Ascot: 'This will play to his strengths' - top trainers assess the Victoria Cup at Ascot 

3.15 Ascot: An above-average running of a competitive handicap - so can the unbeaten favourite be taken on? 

3.35 Lingfield: Can Great Generation give weight all round to repeat last year's Group 3 success? 

4.20 Naas: Has Wayne Lordan made the right decision on the Ballydoyle trio in the Oaks Trial? 

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