Linguistic faces test of his Derby credentials John Gosden's Linguistic could add a further string to Godolphin's Investec Derby bow by winning the Pantile Stud Fairway Stakes at Newmarket this afternoon. With Andre Fabre's Cloth Of Stars set to be supplemented and Jim Bolger's Derrinstown Derby Trial winner Moonlight Magic already Epsom-bound, a smart performance from Linguistic may see him added to the equation. Winner of a sales race at Newmarket on his return to action in April, he pushed Viren's Army close in the Dee Stakes at Chester, a performance which Gosden felt put him in the Derby picture. Five have been declared for the Listed race but one of those is Algometer, winner of the Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood yesterday. "Linguistic goes to the Fairway to see if it will be worth supplementing him," said John Ferguson, Godolphin's chief executive and racing manager. "John Gosden has always held him in very high regard. "Sheikh Mohammed is not bothered about having runners in the Derby just so he can be involved, he will only run them if we think they have a realistic chance of running well." Richard Hannon saddles Steel Of Madrid, who ran well in handicap company at Haydock two weeks ago after looking outclassed in the Craven. "He was desperately unlucky last time and the step up a 10 furlongs will suit him," Hannon told his Stan James blog. "It looks a good race with Linguistic still on the Derby trail but our horse has always shown solid form and gave 18lb to Shaiyem at Haydock recently and only got beaten a length and a half which was a very good effort. "We have been doing plenty of work in trying to get him to settle, which he did last time, so if doing the same here, I'm sure he'll acquit himself well." Mark Johnston's Champagne City and Gosden's Tathqeef complete the field.
