Volta enters Derby picture

Aidan O'Brien and Johnny Murtagh maintained their good start to the new campaign when Alessandro Volta led home a 1-2 for Ballydoyle in the totesport.com Derby Trial at Lingfield.

The Montjeu colt made full use of his stamina, leading virtually throughout despite not handling the downhill run into the straight, before holding the late challenge of stablemate King Of Rome by threequarters of a length.

Godolphin's 6/5 favourite Campanologist looked set to have a big say in the finish but faded out of it on his first run of the season.

"The track wouldn't have ideally suited him - he's a big galloping horse," said Murtagh of the 6/4 winner. "He didn't come down the hill very well and didn't travel very well.

"But he got his act together in the straight and galloped all the way to the line and stayed on.

"He's a genuine galloper and moves very well - that should stand him in good stead for Epsom," he told Channel Four Racing.

The Clive Cox-trained Miracle Seeker lost her maiden tag when landing the totesport 0800 221 221 Oaks Trial under Adam Kirby.

The half-sister to Champion Hurdle winner Katchit was also asked to make all the running and she duly made every post a winning one to land odds of 10/1, beating Look Here (2/1) and Presbyterian Nun (8/1).

"I'm so chuffed, this is like a fairytale," said the trainer. "She's always shown that promise and deserves a chance at the Oaks. She's in both the English and French."