Bay Of Brilliance earmarked for Epsom challenge Ralph Beckett is leaning towards letting Bay Of Brilliance take his chance in the Betfred Derby after his narrow second to Maltese Cross at Lingfield earlier this month. The son of New Bay was making his seasonal return when forcing William Haggas’ colt to pull out all the stops for a neck verdict and the Kimpton Down handler feels his charge has all the attributes to suit the challenge of the premier Classic at Epsom. “He’s come out of Lingfield well and apart from winning he did everything right,” said Beckett. “I think he’s a good fit to go to Epsom because I think he’ll enjoy it round there. He’s a very straightforward, well-balanced horse who puts everything in and I think it will suit him. “We were having our first run of the year at Lingfield and I’ll see how he goes in the next few weeks, but if he goes well I think we will run.” A La Prochaine could be aimed at the Oaks after an informative two weeks of trials that have helped formulate future plans. Beckett added: “Lady Roisia ran really well at Newbury (in the Childwickbury Stud Fillies’ Trial Stakes) and will go to the Ribblesdale. “I’d imagine we will have to see how Golden Orbit progresses from Newbury before we decide what is next, she was just a little green there which caught her out. She galloped out well and it is what it is, not what we hoped for, but that happens. “K Sarra I think will go for the Ribblesdale as well and was very green at York (in the Musidora). She went round the bend on the wrong leg and she’s not the right one to take to Epsom, but she’ll be a nice filly going forward. “The Wathnan filly, A La Prochaine, is likely to go to the Oaks.” A total off 22 were left in the Betfred Derby, 10 of which are trained by Aidan O’Brien, including Benvenuto Cellini and Constitution River, both successful in Chester trials, and Dante winner Item. In the Oaks 16 remain, headed by O’Brien’s Amelia Earhart and the John and Thady Gosden-trained Musidora winner Legacy Link.
