Points chase for the Kentucky Derby

Chelmsford, Thursday, March 31: The all-weather track at Chelmsford today becomes the last venue in Europe to offer six contenders the chance to earn valuable points towards an entry in the Kentucky Derby on May 7 in the USA in the Woodford Reserve Cardinal Conditions Stakes (7th race/7.45pm/100,000 pounds/1609m).

Trained by Charlie Appleby for Godolphin, Blue Trail (William Buick) has already collected 20 points as a qualifier winner at Kempton. The three-year-old won by a `nose` over Harrow (David Probert), who crossed the finish line just as close ahead of Find (David Egan). The decision should be made between the three contenders, but Mr Professor (Silvestre de Sousa), who has been well placed at Meydan this year but recently ran weakly at Saint-Cloud at Listed level, could throw a spanner in the works of the first-named. A good performance by Dark Moon Rising (Kevin Stott), who showed good beginnings last year, cannot be ruled out either. Atheby (Stevie Donohoe) will have a hard time judging by his performance in Kempton.