Bangkok tops eight contenders for Winter Derby Trial

Lingfield feature also attracts two entries from John Gosden.

Andrew Balding’s Bangkok is the star name among eight possibles for Saturday’s Betway Winter Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield.

Winner of the Classic Trial at Sandown in April, he was unplaced in the Derby but went on to prove his class when second in both the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Strensall Stakes at York.

Since then he has also been to Doha where he finished second in the Qatar Derby in December.

John Gosden has two possibles in Global Giant, who won easily on his first start for the yard since leaving Ed Dunlop, and last year’s Winter Derby second Court House.

Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Dalgarno has been consistent of late, finishing third in the Quebec Stakes to Gosden’s Dubai Warrior last time out, and he could take his chance.

Roger Charlton’s Extra Elusive is another who brings a respectable level of form, while Master The World and Pactolus also feature.

On the same card, the Betway Cleves Stakes has attracted 12 entries headed by the popular Kachy, who is bidding for his third successive win in the race.

Tom Dascombe’s seven-year-old is a tough nut to crack around Lingfield’s sharp turns and has won four of his five starts there.

His owner David Lowe said: “Kachy is firmly on course for the Cleves Stakes. Everything has gone to plan in his preparation for this race and Tom and all the team are delighted with him.

“We are much happier with him now than we were in December, which is why we decided to miss the race at Wolverhampton.

“The plan was always to come back for the all-weather because he loves it around those turns.”

William Haggas’ Momkin and Owen Burrows’ Habub will represent new challenges for him if they run.

Good Effort, Merhoob and Royal Birth are others to note.

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