Exciting four-year-old Father Of Jazz puts his unblemished All-Weather record on the line in the G3 Betway Winter Derby (2.40pm, 10f) at Lingfield Park on Saturday, February 27.
Father Of Jazz (Callum Shepherd) is three from three for trainer Roger Varian and outclassed the opposition in a handicap over the course and distance on February 5. The Kingman colt is the 13/8 favourite with Betway.
Felix (Marco Botti/Hollie Doyle) and Forest Of Dean (John Gosden/Robert Havlin) were separated by a head when filling the places behind Bangkok in the Listed Betway Winter Derby Trial on February 6.
Forest Of Dean is attempting to give John Gosden a third consecutive Betway Winter Derby following Wissahickon and Dubai Warrior. Gosden is the joint most successful handler in the race’s history alongside Clive Brittain.
Bangkok’s stablemate Johnny Drama (Andrew Balding/Ryan Moore) has been off the track since finishing fifth under a 3lb penalty in the Listed Betway Quebec Stakes over the course and distance on December 19.
The six-year-old was in great form prior to that, winning four races on the bounce including the Listed Unibet Wild Flower Stakes over 12 furlongs at Kempton Park.
Trainer Andrew Balding said today: “Johnny Drama has had a little break since the Quebec Stakes.
“The concern is that this probably isn’t his ideal track. We felt he was not quite as good here last time as he had been previously.
“Having said that, this is the only logical race for him really, so we felt it was worth another go.”
A select field is completed by Power Of States (Hugo Palmer/Ben Curtis). The five-year-old has captured five handicaps on the All-Weather this winter, most recently at Wolverhampton on February 15.
Betway Winter Derby - Betway prices:
13/8 Father Of Jazz
5/2 Felix
7/2 Forest Of Dean
11/2 Johnny Drama
11/1 Power Of States
Earlier on the card, G1 Nunthorpe Stakes third Moss Gill (Ed Bethell/PJ McDonald) returns in the Listed Betway Hever Sprint (2.05pm, seven runners, 5f) ahead of a potential tilt at the G1 Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup Night.
Moss Gill showed his liking for the All-Weather when winning a conditions race at Wolverhampton in March with the minimum of fuss.
Ed Bethell, who has taken over the licence from his father James, said: “Moss Gill had a nice winter break and is just ready to start back with a view to some bigger targets later in the year.
“He has an invitation for the Al Quoz Sprint on Dubai World Cup Night. If he wins on Saturday, he probably warrants his place in Dubai whereas, if he doesn’t, at least we haven’t wasted a trip.
“The step up in trip would not overly concern me as he does have form over six furlongs – he was just beaten in a big three-year-old handicap at the July Festival a few years ago, and he seemed to stay well that day.
“I am very fortunate to have a horse like him in my first season. Mr Van Cutsem has been kind to keep the horse with us.”
Betway Hever Sprint - Betway prices:
6/5 Moss Gill
3/1 Rocket Action
11/2 Blue De Vega
7/1 Lord Riddiford
14/1 Ornate, Royal Birth
16/1 Belle Anglaise
Betway PR Manager Chad Yeomans said: “We are delighted to see a competitive field for both the Betway Winter Derby and Betway Hever Sprint.
“It could be an expensive one in the Betway Winter Derby as we laid Father Of Jazz at 14/1 and Felix at 8/1 when the entries were first released and they’re now heading the market at 13/8 and 5/2 respectively.
“We will all be cheering on Betway ambassador Andrew Balding’s Johnny Drama for a number of reasons!”
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