 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
The upcoming Gr.3 BetUK Winter Derby has attracted 22 entries, with the reigning champion Lord North among the top contenders. This all-weather race is scheduled to take place on Saturday 24th February, at Southwell, which is hosting the event for the first time. Unlike its previous location at Lingfield Park, this year's Winter Derby will be run over 11 furlongs, instead of a mile and a quarter.
Lord North, an experienced contender with triumphs in both Saudi Arabia and the UAE, carries an impressive track record into the upcoming races, including a victory in the Gr.1 Dubai Turf last year.
David Attwood, Southwell’s Clerk of the Course, said, “We are really happy with the Winter Derby entries. Lord North is the big draw but there is a lot of quality throughout with the likes of Dubai Honour and The Foxes. To have support from France and Ireland is fantastic as well.”
One of the five entries for John & Thady Gosden is Lord North, who has been absent from racing since the end of March. He made history by winning three consecutive renewals of the Gr.1 Dubai Turf.
John & Thady Gosden have a few other noteworthy contenders who are vying for the stable's fifth BetUK Winter Derby victory in six years. These include Lion's Pride and Middle Earth, who both enjoyed success in Listed races in their latest starts. In addition, the stable's 2021 Winter Derby winner Forest Of Dean and the progressive handicapper Vaguely Royal are also in the running.
William Haggas has two contenders for the race, with Dubai Honour leading the pack. The 6YO had recorded a Gr.1 double in Australia last year. Stable-mate Mujtaba, on the other hand, has been absent from racing since finishing second in the Gr.2 Huxley Stakes at Chester's May festival.
Andrew Balding's trio includes The Foxes, who won the Gr.2 Dante Stakes. He followed up his York success with a fifth-place finish in the G1 Derby and an unlucky second in the G1 Belmont Derby in July.
Eydon is another entry who is worth keeping an eye on. He is preparing to make his belated comeback after an impressive win in the Listed Feilden Stakes in 2022. The 5YO has not raced since finishing fourth in that season's Gr.1 2,000 Guineas on his final start for Roger Varian.
Balding said, “I am very happy with The Foxes. Our preferred option for him is the Saudi Cup meeting, but he is likely to run in the Winter Derby Trial at Southwell on January 25 as a prep. We will see how that goes and then make a decision on what to do next.
“Eydon has a very high level of form, although it has been some time since he was last on the track. He has had a few niggles, but we are really pleased with him at the moment and the Winter Derby is very much the plan. The intention is to go straight there without a run – we feel that is the right thing to do.
“Our other entry Teumessias Fox will stay in handicaps for the time being. He has ability and we felt it was worth giving him the option, just in case the race cuts up.”
Glaer, a horse trained by the renowned French handler Jean-Claude Rouget, is among the notable entries for the upcoming race. Meanwhile, Freescape, a specialist from Dundalk belonging to David Marnane, is the only Irish-based representative.
The list of talented entries also includes Tyrrhenian Sea, who was the runner-up in the previous year's race and is trained by Roger Varian, the Cambridgeshire champion Astro King trained by Daniel & Claire Kubler, and Military Order from Godolphin stables, trained by Charlie Appleby.