Anice Stellato could prosper (From The Wiltshire Gazette and Herald)

Anice Stellato could prosper

6:34pm Wednesday 6th May 2009

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With the first two Classics done and dusted attention now turns to next months Epsom Derby.

There was good news for the Epsom course earlier in the week when it was revealed that the international specialist banking group Investec will sponsor the two day meeting for the next five years.

Epsom manager Nick Blofeld said that the late signing of the deal meant it was not the ideal preparation and the partnership will not be in a position to make the most of the promotional opportunity until 2010.

However he went on to add : “ There will still be huge media coverage for Investec, because from now on their name will be attached to everything that has not already been published.”

Looking back over the Guineas meeting, followers of the local Manton yard would have had thoughts of joining the pay out queue as the Brian Meehan trained Delegator moved up among the leaders approaching the final furlong, however, he failed to peg back the Irish trained Sea Of Stars and had to be content with second spot.

Followers of former Manton resident John Gosden were also disappointed in the one thousand Guineas on Sunday when the odds on Rainbow View failed to trouble the leaders in fifth spot. The trainer stating that the ground was not to his filly’s liking.

Armchair racing fans can look forward to a great afternoon in front of the box on Saturday afternoon with the BBC 1 cameras at Ascot for the first three races on the card and at Haydock for their first two races while Channel 4 will be at Lingfield for their first four races plus two at Nottingham.

Feature races on the card at Lingfield is the Group 3 totesport.com Derby Trial Stakes and the Listed Oaks Trial Stakes.

Backers will be looking for pointers for Epsom as several big race entries line up in the Derby Trial including the Queen’s Free Agent, Debussy winner of the Blue Riband trial at Epsom and the Aidan O’Brien duo of Age Of Aquarius and Masterof thehorse.

Newmarket trainer Henry Cecil will be represented by Father Time and is the columns tentative each way selection.

In the Oaks Trial it could pay to go along with the Ralph Beckett trained Anice Stellato, having her first run of the season ridden by Seb Sanders.

Its Victoria Cup day at Ascot, a Heritage Handicap run over seven furlongs.

There are plenty in with chances in this competitive affair with last years winner Zaahid among the entries.

No doubt many eagle eyed punters would have noted the way that the David Nicholls trained Evens And Odds routed his field at Newmarket recently and despite a 6lb penalty he carries the columns selection.

Other likely winners at the meeting could well be the Richard Hannon trained Fanditha and Swinkeel, trained by John Dunlop and ridden by Eddie Ahern.

The two televised races over the jumps at Haydock could be won by the Timmy Murphy ridden Sound Accord in the Long Distance Handicap Hurdle and in the Grade 3 Swinton Handicap Hurdle Snap Tie and Wingman could be popular choices.

Evening meetings are scheduled for Warwick and Thirsk.

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