Age Of Aquarius Wins at Lingfield

Age Of Aquarius was made to fight hard for victory in the totesport.com Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield on Saturday.

Sent off the 8-11 favourite for trainer Aidan O'Brien, he was always in the firing line as jockey Johnny Murtagh opted to make his own running in the five-runner field.

Although he appeared to handle the turn into the straight well enough, Murtagh was starting to push along fully three furlongs out and the distress signals seemed evident as Montaff ranged up to grab the lead.

However, Age Of Aquarius found more in the final furlong and a half, battling back gamely, only to find Cecil's Father Time also flying down the outside.

The three were neck and neck but Age Of Aquarius dug deepest to poke his neck in front on the line with Father Time a further head back in third.

Murtagh, enjoying a welcome change of fortune after a couple of high-profile reverses at Chester this week, said: "He was a bit relaxed in front and was pricking his ears.

"It's only his third run so there's plenty of improvement to come. He's a big, strong horse and I like him.

"We were going a bit slow, then fast and it is hard to turn the bend when you are going as fast as we were. When I got him balanced and Darryll (Holland on Montaff) came to me, he had his head in the right place and he wanted to win.

"He's a big, strong galloper and he's got a chance - I hope he's there (at Epsom)."

Murtagh went on: "He's such a long-strider and Aidan said if I was left in front I should just nurse him along. I felt I still had a chance when Darryll headed me and he stayed on very strongly to the line.

"He's a horse I like, and when he strengthens up into his frame he'll be even better."

Mick Channon said he was "delighted" with Montaff, who could now head to Epsom.

Boylesports cut the winner to 12/1 from 16/1 for the Investec Derby but Sky Bet took the opposite view and eased him out to 25/1 from 20s. Victor Chandler gave Age Of Aquarius a 14-1 (from 20) quote for Epsom, while introducing the runner-up and third at 25-1. Paddy Power left Age Of Aquarius unchanged at 16-1.