All hail the King! Derby favouritism justified as Walker star wows at Lingfield

As Derby trials go, it was pretty much perfection from English King as he surged to the head of the ante-post market with an ultra-impressive display in the Listed Lingfield event.

The Ed Walker-trained colt looked like he joined in at the two-furlong marker, ominously ranging upsides the Group 3-placed Berkshire Rocco and powered clear under a hands-and-heels ride by Tom Marquand. It was impossible not to be impressed.

Bookmakers shared that view, generally shortening the Bjorn Nielsen-owned winner to 7-1 joint-favourite with Military March (from 66) for the Investec Derby with bet365 offering a standout 15-2 (from 50). Sky Bet were most impressed, cutting English King to 5-1 favourite (from 33).