LINGFIELD PARK 14:30

All 9 ran.

Time: 2m 28.19s Closing Sectional: (3f): 35s (109.5%)

Overrounds: Industry SP 122%, Betfair SP 98.6%

Invariably one of the weaker Derby Trials, last won by a subsequent Derby winner by High-Rise in 1998, and since then only Aqaleem in 2007 and Main Sequence in 2012 have gone on from winning this to be placed in the Epsom classic; Kew Gardens, a listed winner at 2, set the clear standard for this year's renewal but was taken on by plenty of unexposed rivals, Knight To Behold the one that upped his game to turn over the O'Brien odds-on shot and, although his decisive win owed something to an enterprising ride, he was in control a long way out and showed a level of form right up to scratch with recent winners.

KNIGHT TO BEHOLD (IRE) looked a good prospect on both 2-y-o starts and has quickly lived up to a smart pedigree, given an excellent ride to land this listed contest on his first start for 7 months but much improved nevertheless, appreciating the step up in trip and doing it readily; he took a strong hold close up before Kingscote used his initiative and sent him on after 4f, soon clear, having most of them in trouble on the home turn and staying on well despite edging right; a top price of 20/1 for the Derby about sums up his chance, as clearly it'll be another big step up in class and he'll have plenty more to find, but the suspicion is that this won't prove to be his limit, for form or stamina.

KEW GARDENS (IRE) was fitter for last month's reappearance and came back to his best, beating all bar the well-ridden winner comfortably, the longer trip within reach; prominent, chased leader over 2f out, hung left over 1f out, driven, edged right, kept on; he's probably in the second tier at best at Ballydoyle, possible he won't even make the Epsom team, but he's a smart colt who is proving consistent.

CORELLI (USA) faced his stiffest task yet, up markedly in grade after his reappearance stroll, and he coped better than being beaten over 10 lengths might suggest as a stronger pace would have suited; held up, took strong hold, headway out wide 3f out, chased leaders 2f out, one paced, considerately handled with first 2 out of reach; he remains capable of better.

THRAVE was testing the waters to some extent after 8 months off, up markedly in trip and class, perhaps not quite ready on either front, but it was a solid start to his 3-y-o season that should still see progress; mid-division, headway 3f out, effort flattened out, not knocked about.

STAR OF SOUTHWOLD (FR) was ridden positively when causing a surprise in a novice at Newmarket last month and such tactics would have served him better here, not seen to best effect, although it was a stiff task as well and he'll probably be better off in handicaps; held up, effort over 2f out, kept on inside final 1f; the way he saw it out is enough to prove his stamina.

WAX AND WANE possibly needed the run after 7 months off, whilst it was a totally different test than for his 2-y-o wins, up 4f in trip and on much firmer ground; led for 4f, lost place 3f out, weakened.

TECHNOLOGICAL wasn't up to the task, well beaten at this level the last twice; prominent, weakening when hung left 2f out, soon beaten.

THUNDERHOOVES was totally out of his depth, struggling 4f out and always behind.

KING AND EMPIRE (IRE) who won his only 2-y-o start, was possibly amiss after 7 months off, more to this than the grade/trip, beaten over 2f out and not persevered with.