Kyprios to step up for O’brien

E Trial,psom favourite High Definition has had to sidestep the Novibet Derby but KYPRIOS can ensure the Lingfield prize still returns to Ballydoyle.

Aidan O’brien has won the race five times previously, most recently with subsequent Derby hero Anthony Van Dyck two years ago, and he had been hoping High Definition could make it six today.

A late setback means that colt misses out, leaving the way clear instead for dual winner Kyprios to state his Epsom case.

A half-brother to Free Eagle and full sibling to Search For A Song, Kyprios impressed when winning over an extended mile on his juvenile debut at Galway, but could not follow up when switched to Group Three for the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket subsequently.

Sent off favourite, something appeared amiss because he was never travelling – a wrong which Kyprios righted with a victory at Cork last month.

He still looked a bit green that day and, while his three-quarter length margin was not that impressive, he looked like the experience over 10 furlongs would do him the world of good.

From a fine staying family, Kyprios should not be troubled by a move up to just shy of 12 furlongs and first-time cheekpieces ought to help him focus on the task in hand.

OCEAN ROAD has less obvious claims in the Novibet Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes, but she can get the job done for Hugo Palmer after her debut second at Nottingham in October.

SELECTIONS: ASCOT: 1.55

Dreamloper, 2.30 Tyson Fury, 3.05 Night Arc, 3.40 Zip, 4.15 Nuits St Georges, 4.50 Devil’s Angel, 5.25 Luna Wish. HEXHAM: 2.10 Itsnotyouitsme, 2.45 Milans Edge, 3.20 Laskadine, 3.55 Roderick Random, 4.30 Tara Mill, 5.05 Absolutely Dylan, 5.40 Mourne Lass.

LINGFIELD: 1.05 Flower Of Thunder, 1.40 Green Planet, 2.15 Ocean Road, 2.50 KYPRIOS (NAP), 3.25 Isabella Giles, 4.00 Love Dreams, 4.35 Cloudy Dawn. DOUBLE: Kyprios and Ocean Road