Classic trials at Lingfield

Lingfield stages its biggest turf meeting of the year today, with its two classic trials as well as Group Three event for fillies over 7 furlongs, the Chartwell Fillies Stakes at 16.45 CET. This seems destined to go to France, as Alain de Royer-Dupré´s Sabana Perdida (Christophe Lemaire), an ex-Italian filly who won a Group Three on fast groubd at Longchamp last year. and Richard Gibson´s Verba (Stephane Pasquier) have easilythe best form credentials, although the löatter possibly needs it softer. The same applies to the two main protagonists in the Derby Trial at 16.10. Luca Cumani´s Curtain Call (Jamie Spencer) is clearly the one to beat here ad is currently quoted as second favourite for the Derby; both Cumani´s previous Epsom winners won here first - in 1988 and 1998, so perhaps the ten-year cycle will be continued. Previousy with Jessica Harrington, the Sadlers Wells colt made a pleasing reappearance, but this looks much tougher. Aidan O´Brien´s main hope is clearly Alessandro Volta (Johnny Murtagh), but he is by Montjeu, whos progeny usually also need some cut. The Godolphin contender Campanologist (Saeed bin Suroor/ Frankie Dettori) is having his first race for the stable after being switched from Mark Johnston, and he certainly acts on this ground, so he can possibly end Godolphin´s losing run so far this season. The Oaks Truial at 15.40 is now only a listed race and usually has less Epsom significance. It appears to lie between Aidan O´Brien´s Ice Queen (Murtagh) and then only unbeaten filly in the field, Look Here (Seb Sanders), trained by Ralph Beckett, who won this race last year.