1 - BIG COUNTRY (5)
Big, lengthy gelding: smart performer: won 3 times in 2018, including listed race at Pontefract (by ½ length from Salateen): good efforts when runner-up in similar events last 3 starts, ¾-length behind Wissahickon at Lingfield last time (flattered by proximity): stays 1½m: acts on polytrack, tapeta, good to firm and heavy going: usually in cheekpieces: usually races close up.
Big Country the highlight of FOUR winners at @ponteraces for @MickApplebyUK & @SilvDSousa - tactical call from the owners to come widest pays off in style.#RUKMomentOfTheDay
— Racing TV (@RacingTV) July 29, 2018
Watch the finishes from Pontefract for free in our results & replay section. https://t.co/7iJOPsdIyZ pic.twitter.com/f0SmNXyaWD
2 - CHIEFOFCHIEFS (2)
Good-topped gelding: useful handicapper: won at Kempton (by neck from Family Fortunes) in January: 14/1, creditable 5 lengths fourth of 8 to Wissahickon in listed race at Lingfield last time: stays 1¼m: acts on polytrack, soft and good to firm going: wears cheekpieces.
3 - COURT HOUSE (4)
Good-topped colt: smart performer: won minor event at Lingfield (by 4½ lengths from Scarlet Dragon) in January: 5/1, creditable 3 lengths third of 8 to Wissahickon in listed race there last time: stays 1½m: acts on polytrack, tapeta and good to firm going.
4 - HATHAL (1)
Attractive horse: smart performer: won minor event at Wolverhampton (by 2¾ lengths from Goring) in January: 2/1, at least as good as ever when followed up in 5-runner similar event there last time by 1½ lengths from Oh This Is Us, suited by run of the race: effective at 1m to 10.5f: acts on polytrack, tapeta, soft and good to firm going: has worn cheekpieces
After a now infamous piece of work with Bobby the Whippet last week, Hathal flies home under @NicolaCurrie22 to win at @WolvesRaces for @osbornejamie… pic.twitter.com/qSZJzc5isp
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 4, 2019
5 - MASTER THE WORLD (6)
Good-topped gelding: smart performer: won Winter Derby at Lingfield (by head from Master The World) in 2018: 6/1, back to best when also won 9-runner listed race there last time by neck from Big Country, leading near line: stays 1½m: acts on polytrack, good to firm and heavy going: wears headgear.
Master The World has been declared the winner of the Betway Winter Derby after a Stewards' Enquiry with Mr Owen taking second spot: pic.twitter.com/pCLloY313u
— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) February 24, 2018
6 - PACTOLUS (7)
Tall, useful-looking gelding: fairly useful handicapper on turf, smart on all-weather: won 3 of last 4 starts in 2018, including at Wolverhampton (by length from Mr Top Hat) in 2018: 5/1, followed up in 8-runner event at Lingfield last time by ½ length from Cosmeapolitan, well placed and just holding on: stays 1¼m: acts on polytrack, tapeta and good to firm going: wears headgear/tongue tie: front runner/races prominently.
7 - WISSAHICKON (3)
High-class performer: won several times in 2018, including Cambridgeshire Handicap at Newmarket (impressive) and listed race at Lingfield (by 2¼ lengths from Big Country): 8/15, made most of good opportunity when winning 8-runner listed race at latter track on return by ¾ length from same rival, overcoming troubled passage and effortlessly asserting late on: stays 10.5f: acts on polytrack, tapeta and good to firm going.
WISSAHICKON wins the (listed) Winter Derby Trial at @LingfieldPark!
— Timeform Live (@TimeformLive) February 2, 2019
Looked to be in a bit of trouble turning for home but he surged to the front under a super-confident @FrankieDettori ride!
📽️ @AtTheRaces
pic.twitter.com/jnQ9DAwUFN
Analyst Verdict
WISSAHICKON looks right out of the top drawer and, as such, should be able to take this with a minimum of fuss before a likely move into Group 1 company, with the more exposed Master The World his chief rival. Big Country is sure to give a good account of himself too, but he's been put in his place twice by the selection already this winter.
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Published at 11:30 21/02/2019