'We know what we're facing against the favourite but we really fancy his chances' - challengers line up to take on The Lion In Winter

The big question that has gripped racing fans since the start of the season is: just how good is The Lion In Winter? We know he was top class at two and will almost certainly be a Group 1 horse, but is he just another one off the Ballydoyle production line or could he be a superstar?

He is probably the only three-year-old colt in training who starts his campaign with that sort of excitement surrounding him, and it is based on a solid piece of form, rather than any hype.

The hype actually came before the form because the Acomb Stakes at last year’s York Ebor meeting was talked about in glowing terms beforehand as a clash between two of the brightest prospects in Britain and Ireland, and the race has since proved worth the build-up.

The Lion In Winter was sent off at 2-1 and only the second favourite because of the noise surrounding wide-margin Sandown maiden winner Ruling Court, the evens market leader.

However, the market got it wrong and it didn’t develop into the duel many expected because The Lion In Winter came away to win as he liked by a length and three-quarters.

Wimbledon Hawkeye split the big two, with Ruling Court another half-length behind in third, and the front three were five lengths clear in a race that couldn’t have worked out any better. Ruling Court is now the 2,000 Guineas hero and Wimbledon Hawkeye won the Royal Lodge.

The Lion In Winter wins the Acomb at York last August from Wimbledon Hawkeye (yellow) and Ruling CourtCredit: John Grossick (racingpost.com/photos)

In total six winners have emerged from that Acomb Stakes and even the distant fourth, The Waco Kid, has since won a Group race. Now take a moment and watch the race for yourself.

That’s what I did because it’s 267 days since then and it looks even better now than it did at the time given what we know. The Lion In Winter didn’t just win, he was entirely dominant.

The time stacked up well too. It was the third best on a card where it was the only juvenile race and came in around a length and a quarter slower furlong-by-furlong than City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International. That is no mean feat given he was a Derby winner rated 128.

The Lion In Winter also ran the final furlong about a quarter of a length faster than City Of Troy and was evidently strong at the finish, so everything adds up to a true superstar, right?

If only racing were that simple. The truth is that we have seen the tip of the iceberg and we just don’t know how much more lies beneath, but every racing fan will be hoping that the Acomb showed only a small fraction of the hidden depths of talent that may still be to come.

Just like in the Acomb, The Lion In Winter’s principal threats come from a Godolphin runner and Wimbledon Hawkeye. Ruling Court isn’t here, but Charlie Appleby relies on impressive Newmarket Stakes winner Alpine Trail, who isn’t in the Derby and has to be supplemented.

That will probably be on the agenda if he does what his Guineas-winning stablemate couldn’t and inflicts defeat on The Lion In Winter, but this contest is all about the Aidan O’Brien and Ryan Moore runner. They have dominated the Derby trials and only now play their ace.
Analysis by Graeme Rodway

Wimbledon out to serve up a surprise

Ballydoyle have swept up the Classic trials but the Wimbledon Hawkeye camp hope their colt can serve up a Dante success and become a possible Derby ace.

The Gredley family-owned three-year-old had a fine juvenile campaign, which included victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes. He also finished ahead of 2,000 Guineas winner Ruling Court when runner-up to The Lion In Winter in the Acomb Stakes at last year's Ebor meeting.

Wimbledon Hawkeye: fifth in the 2,000 Guineas on his latest startCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Wimbledon Hawkeye finished second in the Craven before his fifth-place effort in the 2,000 Guineas and bids to emulate Roaring Lion, who finished in the same position in that Classic before landing the Dante in 2018.

A strong Dante run could set up the son of Kameko for an attempt to avenge the Gredleys' Derby defeat a year ago, when Ambiente Friendly was runner-up to City Of Troy.

Tim Gredley said: "We're under no illusions what we're facing against the favourite, but we're really excited as we've always thought he's a mile-and-a-quarter horse. He loves his racing and came to hand early, which is why we ran him in the Craven and the Guineas, and we really fancy his chances.

"He's run well at York before and is in great order. He's such a sound horse and takes his racing so well. The plan was always to come here as the trip looks ideal, then we'll assess if he's a Derby horse."

What they say

Charlie Appleby, trainer of Alpine Trail
He is a hard horse to assess because he wouldn’t get you too excited in the mornings, although you cannot fault what he has achieved on the track. The Lion In Winter looks the standout in the race, although our horse won’t be out of place in an otherwise competitive renewal.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to Wathnan Racing, owners of Damysus
We were pleased with his reappearance at Sandown, where he still hadn’t quite come into his coat. He has now and looks great. John and Thady [Gosden] are very happy with him. This will tell us a lot about where we’re at trip-wise and where we’ll go after this.

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Devil's Advocate
He didn't really handle the track at Epsom last time and this flatter track should suit him better.

Ed Walker, trainer of Mister Rizz
We're being bold in aiming him here, but he's bred for the job and was bought for it. He shows a lot at home and, having disappointed us by getting beaten on his debut, he did everything right next time. He didn't have a tough race and it was more like a strong piece of work. There aren't a lot of options and he'll be better suited by the likely stronger pace here than running in a dawdling novice. Win, lose or draw, we'll know after this whether to go for the French Derby, a Group race at Ascot or a handicap there.

Barry Mahon, racing manager to Juddmonte, owners of Nightwalker
He needed his first run this year in the Feilden. I think John and Thady [Gosden] concentrated on relaxing him over the winter and they felt after the race that maybe they switched him off a little bit too much. He raced very lazily and sleepily and finished well, looking like an extra furlong would suit. He’s come forward nicely and we’d have to improve a little bit, but we’re hoping we have done. It looks like a strong running but if he acquits himself well, the Derby would be very much a possibility.

Ralph Beckett, trainer of Pride Of Arras
He's been training well. He's been away on a gallop and has been doing his work on the grass at home too. I'm pleased with how his preparation has gone.

Simon Crisford, joint-trainer of Sea Scout
He'll benefit from more match practice and he's been well since his last race at Epsom. This is a good running of the Dante and it's exciting to be running, but first and foremost we'll see how he runs here before we think about the Derby.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of The Lion In Winter
It’s a very good Derby trial. He’s going to improve a ton from whatever he does. Hopefully, he’s going to run well and that we’ve enough done with him to help him to run well. Hopefully, we have him in a good enough place to show what his potential could be.
Reporting by Matt Rennie

Read more:

Is the Lion ready to roar? Derby favourite finally returns for cautious Aidan O'Brien 

'This is far from a penalty kick' - Tom Segal is opposing Dante hotpot The Lion In Winter on day two of York 

'Impressive' Whirl storms home to give Aidan O'Brien a remarkable tenth Classic trial this spring - but Oaks bid in doubt 

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