UK Saturday -Winter Derby trial

Gitano Hernando 4/9 Fav Saturday


Barry Irwin`s Gitano Hernando goes in this race Tomorrow in preparation for his bash at The Dubai WorldCup.Winter Derby Trial

Sporting life.com

Marco Botti's Gitano Hernando begins his Dubai World Cup preparation in the Betdaq The Betting Exchange Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday.

The chestnut was a shock winner of the Grade One Goodwood Stakes at Santa Anita back in October but the form has stood up well with the runner-up Colonel John going on to finish fifth in the Breeders' Cup Classic.

Just as he was in America, Kieren Fallon will be back in the saddle this weekend having jetted back from the sunnier climes of Dubai, and Botti is looking forward to getting his stable star started.

"He has a penalty but this is a good race for him to start off," said Botti.

"He has had a good preparation and we also run Mesa Marauder in the race as a pacemaker.

"It is good news that Kieren is coming back from Dubai to ride him - he has always liked the horse and knows him well.

"When we contacted him to tell him what our plan was he said straight away that he definitely wanted to come back to England to ride him.

"The horse has done enough work to race but obviously he is not 100% yet.

"He will come on for the run and as everyone knows this is not our main target as we want to go for the Dubai World Cup and that is still four weeks away.

"We will discuss with Team Valor (owners) when we are going to go to Dubai but it will probably be the third week in March, a week or 10 days before the World Cup.

"We know he is a good traveller as he has been to Santa Anita with no problems and he has a good temperament."

Gitano Hernando will face seven rivals in the Listed prize including Tom Tate's Suits Me, Baylini and Mister Green.

Newcastle has been abandoned so were left with Cheptstow and Kempton over the obstacles and the winter Derby Trial card from Lingfield

Trixie for me today..

Punjabi R1 Kempton,Kilrea Castle R5 Kempton and Barry`s Horse Gitano Hernando at Lingfield


Tip us a winner CnC

We are looking for a solid effort today. According to the trainer, he didn't need to give him an additional gallop at midweek because the horse got so much from his last workout.

Cheers Barry, break a leg.

Goodluck Barry,noticed Twice Over has a spin on the track after racing aswell,would have been good for you to have met in the race ..

Lucky 15

Kempton - Fistral Beach
Lingfield - Atlantic Tiger/Spruce/ Gitano Hermando

All the best Team Valor

GOOD LUCK MR VALOR

Welldone,very impressive against good allweather sorts,could not believe the doubters that were trying to lay him this morning..


Meydan here we come!!!!

Excellent win roll on Dubai was 14/1 this morning?

Let me give my 5 cents worth here.....The current favourite, Gio Ponti ran a good race in the Breeders Cup but his best form has been on grass (imo)

Mr. Valor and company have a VERY serious chance to win the Cup. I for one will be taking some 14/1 if it is still available anywhere

Evening Tommy that was before todays race.