High class performers The Foxes and Military Order top a competitive field for Thursday’s Winter Derby Trial at Southwell on Thursday.
Charlie Appleby's Military Order could not live up to the standard of his illustrious full-brother Adayar when coming home last in the 2023 Epsom Derby, but he did appear to show a level of talent when taking the Lingfield Derby Trial prior to Epsom. Appleby is hopeful the four-year-old can get back on track after a gelding operation: "This will be Military Order's first start since being gelded and I have been pleased with his preparation.
"He has been running over further but I feel that dropping back in trip is going to suit. He won over 10 furlongs at Newbury at the start of last season and then over a sharp mile and a half around Lingfield in the Derby Trial.
"This looks a decent race, with The Foxes probably bringing the strongest form into it. If we can be competitive against horses like him, it should hopefully steer us in the right direction for the coming months."
The Andrew Balding-trained The Foxes followed up a strong victory in the Group 2 Dante Stakes at York with a fifth in the Epsom Classic, before heading Stateside for a close second in the Grade 1 Belmont Derby, despite facing interference in the closing stages.
Jane Chappel-Hyam's Claymore was victorious in the 2022 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot but struggled to find form last season. The five-year-old returned to better order with a second in the Listed Prix Lyphard in November and could be competitive on current form.
"Claymore has been in good shape since Deauville and is ready to go with a view to coming back for the Winter Derby," said Chappel-Hyam.
"It was really good to see him bounce back last time, although this looks a tough little race. I suspect with a furlong to go that it will be wide open!
"I think a mile and three furlongs will be fine for him. If you look at his Deauville run, he was really finishing, so I don't have any concerns.
"I already have Blanchland pencilled in for Finals Day and Claymore could join him. We will see how things go between now and then."
The Foxes currently holds favouritism at a general 15/8 with Military Order available at 5/2.
