Betfred Derby Trial 2018 Horse Racing Preview And Tip (Saturday 12 May, 2.30)

The Betfred Derby Trial (Saturday 12 May, 2.30), also known as the Lingfield Derby Trial, is seen as an ideal test for the Epsom Derby due to Lingfield having a sweeping left-handed bend similar to the one at Epsom. The race takes place over 1 mile 3 furlongs and 133 yards and has been a recognised Derby Trial since 1932.

Some famous Derby winners had their prep-race in the race, including Teeonoso (1983), Slip Anchor (1985), and Kahyasi (1988). However, the fact that many trainers tend to send their leading Derby fancies to York for the Dante Stakes means this Listed Contest hasn’t produced a Derby winner since High Rise in 1988.

Lingfield Derby Trial 10-Year-Trends

• Aidan O’Brien has trained 4 of the last 10 winners
• Ryan Moore has ridden 2 of the last 5 winners
• 8 of the last 10 winners have been drawn in stalls 1 to 5
• SP’s have ranged from 4/9 to 10/1
• Only two favourites have won in the last decade, both at odds-on

Lingfield Derby Trial 2018 Main Contenders

Nelson

Trained by Aidan O’Brien and bred to win a classic being by Frankel out of the Irish Oaks winner Moonstone. This highly-regarded sort won two of his three starts as a two-year-old and then suggested stamina may be his forte when winning over 10-furlongs on heavy ground on his seasonal reappearance in the Group 3 Ballysax Stakes at Leopardstown. Could be tough to beat.

Corelli

Didn’t see the racecourse until November when he improved dramatically from his first run to his second run. He then had over five months off before returning at Yarmouth in May where he proved his stamina with a win over 11½ furlongs on soft ground. His trainer John Gosden last won this race in 2004, but there’s no reason why this one won’t go close.

Department Of War

Richard Hannon Junior may have made his name with sprinters and milers but he has started to train more middle-distance types in the last couple of seasons, including winning this race in in 2016 with Humphrey Bogart. Interesting that this one is owned by owners more associated with Aidan O’Brien trained horses and definitely one to watch with interest as he was a comfortable winner of his only start in April when a seemingly unfancied 7/1 shot.

Delano Roosevelt

A second possible runner for Aidan O’Brien and one who is bred to win a classic being by Galileo out of Again, who won an Irish 1,000 Guineas. He has been beaten twice by Nelson though and finished behind the 2,000 Guineas winner Saxon Warrior in another race last year. May be suited by this longer trip.

Lingfield Derby Trial 2018 Summary

Aidan O’Brien has such a good record in the race that it’s hard to look beyond his horses this year, especially as Nelson and Delano Roosevelt are bred to be classic winners. Despite favourites not having the greatest of records in the race, it’s impossible not to fancy Nelson whose form and reputation earmark him as a rock-solid candidate for the race.

Lingfield Derby Trial 2018 Tip

Nelson