Main Sequence now 20s for the Derby The David Lanigan-trained Main Sequence maintained his unbeaten record with a taking victory in the Betfred Derby Trial at Lingfield. Ted Durcan's partner raced at the rear of the field for much of the contest but showed a fine turn of foot once unleashed after turning in. At that stage the well-backed 5-4 favourite Shantaram had gone to the front but he was cut down by the winner who went on to score by three-quarters of a length. It was a further five lengths back to Cavaleiro (20-1) in third. Durcan has no fears about his mount getting a mile and a half and said: "He was really switched-off and settled. He found loads and will stay a mile and a half. He's a lovely horse and is hopefully on the way up. There's no reason to think he won't stay." Main Sequence carries the famous Niarchos family silks and was watched by its racing manager Alan Cooper. Lanigan said: "We were going to go for the Feilden (at the Craven meeting), but off 89 it would have been pointless missing out on the handicap option. "He came out well from each of his three gallops since, and while he does flash his tail Ted said you don't feel it and he picks up when you ask him. "I'm glad we didn't run him back on the soft, because if he'd run badly it would have told us nothing. "We'll sit down with the Niarchos family and Alan and see how he comes out of it. There is a question mark on his breeding whether he will stay the Derby trip, but Ted said he galloped out to the line and when the other horse came to him he was just a little idle. "The plan was if he won today and we were impressed we would do that (go to Epsom). "I've been very, very lucky, the Niarchos family have supported me from day one and I'm very grateful for that." Sky Bet cut the winner to 20-1 from 33s for the Investec Derby at Epsom, the same price as Betfred.
