Lingfield trials should prove handy workouts for Danielle and Illinois

You never know for sure with these classic auditions, but today’s Oaks trial at Lingfield is likely to have more bearing on events at Epsom three weeks from now than the Derby trial.

Danielle is second favourite for the fillies’ classic behind Ballydoyle’s 1000 Guineas close fifth Ylang Ylang, after winning a Wetherby novice last month by 12 lengths without breaking out of a canter.

John and Thady Gosden’s close relation to last summer’s Royal Ascot Gold Cup hero Courage Mon Ami beat nothing of note in Yorkshire, but this afternoon’s opposition isn’t all that special either; nothing is currently trading at less than 40-1 in the Oaks market. These days, most of the very best classic prospects are usually saved for York next week.

But Lingfield, being of a similar configuration to Epsom, has always provided useful practice for those horses felt in need of it, and in 2019 both John Gosden’s Anapurna and Aidan O’Brien’s Anthony Van Dyck won the trials en route to their triumphs in the Oaks and the Derby. Today’s Derby trial looks pretty open. Ballydoyle’s Illinois could start favourite because Ryan Moore has picked him over The Euphrates, who finished two lengths in front of him when the pair were placed in a Leopardstown Group Three a month ago.

Perhaps Illinois has now shown improvement at home past his stablemate, in which case he may be hard to beat here, but it might be worth taking an each-way punt on Jane Chapple-Hyam’s 25-1 shot Salamanca, who showed loads of promise when just touched off in a hot novice at Newmarket’s Craven meeting. Ascot’s card is full of handicap puzzles, none more devilish than the famous old Victoria Handicap. Fans’ favourite Ropey Guest is running in the race for a fourth time, and at Ascot for a 21st in all. His inability to win here has fostered an Eddie the Eagle-like popularity, but he confounded everyone last year when deserting the locals to win at Goodwood and then a big pot at York.

He then went the closest he has ever gone to a first Ascot victory on Champions Day in the autumn and though that isn’t conclusive proof that he has turned a corner at his home gaff, it does tempt a 20-1 eachway nibble.