February 24 / 15.20 Southwell (AW)

15.20

Standard

BetUK Winter Derby Stakes (Group 3)

  • Prize money: £56710
  • 1m 3f 23y
  • Class 1
  • 6 runners
ITV4
View Course
BetUK Winter Derby Stakes (Group 3)

Runners: 6 runners

Type: Flat AW

Surface: Tapeta

Weather: Partly cloudy

2/1 (Won)

  • Win: £3.30
  • Place: £1.30

Form: 1105-2 BF

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 2lb

4 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won the Lingfield Derby Trial (1m4f, Polytrack) last May, but failed to beat a rival in the Derby itself (1m4f, good to firm) and also in a Chester Listed race (1m6f, good to soft) in September; gelded soon afterwards and went down by just a head on his return in the trial over C&D last month; may prove the main threat to Lord North if the run has brought him on.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1

(5)

23rd Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 0y

Class 1

18:45 Windsor

Military Order

9st 7lb

J: Billy Loughnane

T: Charlie Appleby

Record of 5-13 and his last two wins were in Group 3 at Southwell (1m3f) last January and a Listed event at Kempton (1m2f) this spring; ran into some trouble when creditable sixth of 16 in Listed Wolferton Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) and he was only narrowly denied back in a Group 3 at Haydock two weeks ago; was as good as ever with that bold bid and he's the standout contender in this line-up.

4/7

2nd

5

(7)

9th Aug 2025

Good

1m 2f 100y

Class 1

15:00 Haydock

Military Order

9st 7lb

J: Tom Marquand

T: Charlie Appleby

Best turf form when just over 2l sixth of 16 in Listed race at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) latest start, a race which Haatem won but this 5yo gave him 3lb and eventually ran on well after trouble in running; on that evidence there's not much between them and they are leading contenders.

4/1

6th

3

(10)

17th Jun 2025

Good

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

17:35 Ascot

Military Order

9st 8lb

J: William Buick

T: Charlie Appleby

Added to his very good AW record with a stylish win in a Listed race at Kempton (1m2f) in April but he wasn't in quite the same form when fourth (Phantom Flight third) in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown since and there are doubts as to whether he's still as effective on turf as AW; also has a 3lb penalty for the Kempton win.

8/1

13/8

  • Place: £1.30

Form: 54/11-

Last run: 336 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 120

Form & Verdict
Second and first in the last two runnings of this, his win last year coming four weeks before a third successive victory in the Group 1 Dubai Turf, which will no doubt be the aim again; has a wonderful record fresh, so despite having run well to finish fourth in the 2020 Breeders' Cup Turf (1m4f) the only real question is the longer trip than usual; has a good deal in hand on these terms, though, so should still be hard to beat.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

8th

5

(5)

19th Jun 2024

Good To Firm

1m 1f 212y

Class 1

16:25 Ascot

Lord North

9st 2lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Won this race in 2020 and gained further Group 1 wins in the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Dubai Turf; only midfield in this year's edition of that 1m1f race at Meydan but he was a close third in Group 2 at Sandown (1m) on latest outing; this step back up in trip will surely suit but, as an 8yo, he's probably no longer at the level required to win this.

25/1

3rd

4

(5)

26th Apr 2024

Good

1m 0f 0y

Class 1

15:00 Sandown

Lord North

9st 3lb

J: William Buick

T: John & Thady Gosden

Four-time Group 1 scorer at 1m1f/1m2f; only midfield at Meydan last month when bidding for a fourth success in the Dubai Turf, albeit things didn't pan out perfectly; still needs to show he retains every ounce of ability aged eight but sets a high standard on his best figures.

3/1

Form: 27021-

Last run: 55 days

W: 9st 3lb

6 yo Gelding

OR: 108

Form & Verdict
Runner-up to Lord North in this race last season and did well back at Lingfield later in the year, going down by a head in a Listed contest (1m2f) in November and going one better in a similar race the following month; won three times on Tapeta at Newcastle (1m) early in his career and although up in distance his dam won over this trip; probably still needs Lord North to underperform.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

1st

2

(14)

3rd Apr 2026

Standard

1m 0f 5y

Class 2

15:00 Newcastle (AW)

Tyrrhenian Sea

9st 9lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

As reliable as they come on AW, winning five of his 16 starts in this sphere and second or third on a further nine occasions; has a rare handicap run today but he looks held by Chancellor on their Southwell clash in February (3lb better off for a length but the winner had a bit to spare).

7/1

2nd

6

(2)

7th Feb 2026

Standard

1m 0f 13y

Class 1

19:30 Southwell (AW)

Tyrrhenian Sea

9st 2lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Two Listed wins at Lingfield, including this race 12 months ago; may have needed the run when 3l behind Chancellor at Kempton in December and went desperately close over 1m2f later that month; shouldn't be too far away once more.

5/1

8

(8)

7th Jun 2025

Good

1m 0f 113y

Class 1

13:35 Epsom

Tyrrhenian Sea

9st 8lb

J: Jack Mitchell

T: Roger Varian

Better than ever in most recent AW attempt, winning 1m Listed event at Lingfield; finished behind two of today's opponents at Ascot since, taking turf record to 0-6; not the percentage call.

20/1

Form: 6752-6

Last run: 30 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
Landed the Group 3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot (1m2f, good to firm) in 2022, but hasn't build on it albeit he was only beaten a neck in a Listed contest at Deauville (9.5f, Polytrack) in November; last of six in the trial for this over C&D last month (Military Order second) despite enjoying the run of the race, which doesn't bode well for his chances today.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(2)

30th May 2026

Good To Firm

1m 3f 39y

Class 2

13:30 Carlisle

Claymore

9st 6lb

J: Sorin Moldoveanu

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Campaigned in the UAE this winter, last seen finishing tailed off at Meydan; still 4lb higher than for his last win in Britain and probably best watched after three months off.

20/1

2

(2)

14th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 2f 0y

Class 2

20:00 Windsor

Claymore

9st 11lb

J: Silvestre De Sousa

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Career highlight was at Royal Ascot 2022 but he capitalised on a career-low mark to win at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last month; long list of possible excuses next time and not disgraced at Ascot last Saturday, so he needs a second look.

10/1

2

(5)

9th Aug 2025

Good To Firm

1m 3f 211y

Class 2

14:45 Ascot

Claymore

10st 1lb

J: Suraj Narredu

T: Jane Chapple-Hyam

Career highlight was at Royal Ascot 2022 but he capitalised on a career-low mark to win at Newmarket (1m4f, good to firm) last month; long list of possible excuses at Yarmouth 12 days later, so he remains of interest.

6/1

Form: /1643-

Last run: 98 days

W: 9st 3lb

8 yo Gelding

OR: 103

Form & Verdict
A regular in this type of race on the AW and is running in this contest for the fourth time, winning it in 2021, finishing fourth in 2022 and sixth last year; has plenty to find on these terms, but one thing he does have in his favour is winning form on Tapeta, having twice been successful at Newcastle (1m2f).
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

5th

4

(5)

1st Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Forest Of Dean

9st 3lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Landed the Winter Derby three years ago but has lacked consistency since and faces a difficult assignment against some unexposed/better types in this field; yard has a much stronger chance with Lion's Pride.

20/1

5th

4

(5)

1st Apr 2024

Standard To Slow

1m 1f 219y

Class 1

14:55 Kempton (AW)

Forest Of Dean

9st 3lb

J: Robert Havlin

T: John & Thady Gosden

Landed the Winter Derby three years ago but has lacked consistency since and faces a difficult assignment against some unexposed/better types in this field; yard has a much stronger chance with Lion's Pride.

20/1

5th

3

(3)

24th Feb 2024

Standard

1m 3f 23y

Class 1

15:20 Southwell (AW)

Forest Of Dean

9st 3lb

J: Kieran O’Neill

T: John & Thady Gosden

soon led, clear after 1f

33/1

OUR TIP

13/2

Form: 3/214/

Last run: 665 days

W: 9st 3lb

5 yo Colt

OR: 109

Form & Verdict
Won the Listed Feilden Stakes at Newmarket (1m1f, good) in April 2022 and finished a fine fourth behind Coroebus in the 2,000 Guineas (1m, good; 33-1) 16 days later; series of setbacks has kept him from the track since and he is now in a new stable (same owner; was with Roger Varian); fascinating to see what the market says about him after such a long absence.
Place /
No / Draw
Date / Going /
Distance / Class
Time + Course Horse + Weight
Jockey / Trainer
Verdict Starting price

2nd

2

(2)

1st May 2026

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:30 Newmarket

Eydon

9st 5lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Had 1m4f wins last season in a Group 3 at Newbury (good to firm) in May and Group 2 in Italy (good; made all for career-best form) in October; tailed off in Hong Kong on final start but has a shout if back to his best.

9/2

4th

1

(1)

26th Sep 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

15:35 Newmarket

Eydon

9st 12lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Fourth in 2,000 Guineas here in 2022 prior to long absence; back to his best when winning the Group 3 Aston Park Stakes at Newbury (1m4f, good to firm) in May; unraced since and carries a 5lb penalty today but he goes well fresh and could play another leading role.

15/2

1st

4

(5)

17th May 2025

Good

1m 4f 0y

Class 1

12:50 Newbury

Eydon

9st 2lb

J: Oisin Murphy

T: Andrew Balding

Good fourth in 2,000 Guineas in 2022, then absent for nearly two years; close second in Listed contest at Ayr (1m2f, good to firm) last September and has run some respectable races in defeat since; it's possible he has some untapped potential at this trip but others have more substance to their claims.

14/1

+o+e Accumulators

Payout
Exacta £5.80
Straight Forecast £5.35
Trifecta £13.70

Selections

SPOTLIGHT:

Lord North

POSTDATA:

Military Order

The Times:

Eydon

TOPSPEED:

Claymore

Daily Record:

Tyrrhenian Sea

Daily Mail:

Military Order

D Express:

Military Order

Daily Mirror:

Military Order

RP RATINGS:

Lord North

NEWMARKET:

Lord North

Telegraph:

Lord North

The Guardian:

Lord North

The Sun:

Lord North

The Star:

Lord North