The Cheltenham Festival has just finished and already there is a reminder that the Flat turf season is fast approaching as we have the coral.co.uk Winter Derby (3.05) on the all-weather at Lingfield Park.
This race struggles to live up to its grand title and has attracted the usual cast of listed-race performers, who are generally exposed and trying to claim a weak group three race.
There are two runners in this year’s renewal who still have potential, but while one – Tryster – is a warm favourite, the other, New Story is worth backing at the 33-1 offered by Ladbrokes and William Hill.
New Story is trained by Ismail Mohammed, who is more than capable of having him prepared after an eight-month absence, while the booking of Joe Fanning in the saddle is also a positive.
He looked a classy prospect when winning a maiden at Salisbury by four lengths and then added to his tally with a hugely impressive five-length victory in a handicap at Haydock Park.
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New Story could easily be group-class and, while his wide draw is not ideal, odds of 33-1 more than compensate for that.