10 May. GB. Totesport.com Derby Trial S. G3. Lingfield. 11,5f. Turf. 60.000 £
1.- ALESSANDRO VOLTA (J.Murtagh)
2.- KING OF ROME (D.McCabe)
3.- CAMPANOLOGIST (L.Dettori)


Aidan O’Brien produced another possible Classic candidate as Alessandro Volta took advantage of Curtain Call’s absence in the totesport.com Derby Trial at Lingfield.

O’Brien, who was not believed to have a golden generation of three-year-olds this time around, already has the 2000 Guineas in his possession through Henrythenavigator and the likes of Kingdom Of Naples and Washington Irving still to test this week.

Lingfield’s flagship race admittedly lost a great deal of interest through the defection of Luca Cumani’s Curtain Call on account of the fast ground, and it developed into a close-knit affair.

Sent off at 6-4, Alessandro Volta made nearly all the running under Johnny Murtagh and although he ran wide around the home bend, he found plenty under pressure to keep stablemate King Of Rome at bay by three-quarters of a length.

“The track wouldn’t have ideally suited him - he’s a big galloping horse and he didn’t come down the hill very well,” said Murtagh.

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

“He moves very well - that should stand him in good stead for Epsom.

“Aidan has a lot of Derby horses but this one will certainly have improved for that run.”

Ladbrokes and Coral are unchanged at 20-1 for Epsom, with Boylesports only half the price.

Godolphin’s woes continued as Feilden Stakes winner Campanologist, transferred from Mark Johnston, had every chance but had to settle for third as the 6-5 favourite.

“There is a question whether he is as good at a mile and a half as a mile and a quarter. The French Derby is a possibility,” said racing manager Simon Crisford.