Nevis Leads Lingfield Contenders Aidan O'Brien gives Nevis the chance to prove his Classic credentials when the colt makes his seasonal reappearance in the Betfred Derby Trial at Lingfield on Saturday. Nevis holds a host of big-race entries, including the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas and the Investec Derby. However, he is on a retrieval mission after finishing sixth behind 2000 Guineas hero Dawn Approach in the Vincent O'Brien Stakes on his final start last term. He faces just four rivals headed by the Luca Cumani-trained Greatwood, who made a promising seasonal debut when short headed by Windhoek at Newmarket last month. Hughie Morrison's Another Cocktail and Paska Boy, trained by Jonathan Portman, are also in the mix while the other runner, the Mick Channon-trained Elidor, is the only one of the quintet not to hold an entry in the Derby. O'Brien will not be represented in the Betfred "The Bonus King" Oaks Trial as he withdrew Half Moon at the final declaration stage. She was the only filly taken out of the Listed contest, leaving a field of seven in the race. Ralph Beckett has used this test as a stepping stone for the Oaks itself in the past and will be hoping Secret Gesture can book her place in the fillies' Classic at Epsom on May 31. All the Trial entrants are in the Oaks except for the Marco Botti-trained Whippy Cream. The rest who are seeking their ticket to Classic stardom are Alta Lilea, Enaitch, Heroine Required, Miss You Too and Northern Star.
