Bangkok is aiming for a repeat success in the Listed Betway Winter Derby Trial (1.45pm, five runners) over 10 furlongs, a key stepping stone to the G3 Betway Winter Derby on February 27 as well as a Fast-Track Qualifier for the Betway Easter Classic on Good Friday.
Bangkok (Andrew Balding), who will be ridden for the first time by Ryan Moore, produced his best performance to date in last season’s Betway Winter Derby Trial, scoring easily by four and a half lengths.
There have been two dual winners of the Betway Winter Derby Trial, although Grendisar (2015 & 2016) is the only horse to do so in successive years.
Felix (Richard Kingscote) had Bangkok’s measure by a short-head, albeit in receipt of 3lb, in a conditions race at Wolverhampton on January 11. Felix has won four of five starts on the All-Weather for Marco Botti, the most successful trainer in Betway Winter Derby Trial history with five wins.
John Gosden has lifted the spoils twice in recent years with Utmost (2018) and Wissahickon (2019). Britain’s champion trainer saddles Forest Of Dean (Robert Havlin), who was third behind Felix at Wolverhampton on the back of a 478-day absence.
Seasoned stayer Red Verdon (Ed Dunlop/Adam Kirby) has performed creditably since plundering a G2 contest at Longchamp in July. The eight-year-old was not disgraced under a big weight in a handicap at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day, finishing third.
Trainer Ed Dunlop said: “Red Verdon has had a little holiday since his last run at Wolverhampton and has been out in the field having a break.
“This is a prep race really because he is likely to head out to Saudi Arabia after this, but he is in good form and should give a good account even if the trip is a bit on the short side.”
The five runners are completed by Vintager (Simon & Ed Crisford/Adam Kirby), a G2 winner for Godolphin in his pomp who finished fourth in a Mile Fast-Track Qualifier at Newcastle on January 12.
Betway PR Manager Chad Yeomans said: “It is a small but select field for the Betway Winter Derby Trial.
“Bangkok, who has been supported for the Betway Winter Derby itself this week, will want to keep his backers feeling confident with a success here, but small field affairs can often lead to tactical races, so it might not be straightforward!”
Betway Winter Derby Trial - Betway odds: 6/4 Bangkok; 2/1 Felix; 7/2 Forest Of Dean; 14/1 Red Verdon, Vintager
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