Sir Michael Stoute insists Workforce is looking good for the Investec Derby on June 5 after an impressive work out at Lingfield.
Trainer looks to the Derby after impressive work out at Lingfield
Sir Michael Stoute insists Workforce is looking good for the Investec Derby on June 5 after an impressive work out at Lingfield.
The Prince Khalid Abdullah-owned colt was put through his paces alongside Total Command and another unnamed stablemate on the Polytrack surface.
And Stoute is now hoping to get the green light to take the three-year-old to Epsom.
Stoute said: "He worked well, and we wanted to give him that experience of going down a slope.
"We will have a word with the Prince, but I'm keen to head to Epsom. It was a good experience for the horse."
Workforce, an accomplished winner of a Goodwood maiden last year, was ridden by Ryan Moore at Lingfield and the jockey was impressed with how things went.
He added: "He's lovely, laid-back type and he did a nice piece of work."
Stats
Sky Bet keep the colt at 8/1 for the big race despite his defeat at York earlier this month.
"The stats are against him if he is to triumph at Epsom as no horse beaten in the Dante has ever gone on to win the Derby and we have not seen a penny for him today," said Sky Bet's Matt Doyle.
"However, we were keen to keep him on side in our Derby book as he had excuses at York and the Derby market will only really spring into life when Ballydoyle reveal all their running plans."
Hot Prospect, beaten three and a three-quarter lengths when third to Bullet Train in the Lingfield Derby Trial, is also on course for Epsom.
"He runs in the Derby. We know he's an outsider, but he's in good form and the owner has paid his entries," said trainer Michael Jarvis. "He'll get the trip and he likes good, fast ground.
"If you fancy Bullet Train to win, we're four lengths behind him, so he should at least finish in the middle of the field and hopefully better. He won't be disgraced.
"He's improving and looking better than he's done all year."
