Linda´s Lad Primed For totesport.com Derby Trial

French maestro Andre Fabre will saddle Linda´s Lad in the #60,000 totesport.com Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield Park on Saturday, May 13.

Herve Barjot, racing manager to owner Sean Mulryan, revealed that the Sadler´s Wells colt will run in the Group Three extended 11-furlong contest as he bids to step up on his comeback fourth behind stablemate Gentlewave in a Group Two event at Longchamp on April 17.

Barjot said today: 'Linda´s Lad is due to run at Lingfield on Saturday in the totesport.com Derby Trial. He has definitely come on since his race at Longchamp and is very well.

'While we were slightly disappointed with his last run, the race was not run to suit. He had to make the running, but he is a horse who likes to run behind a good pace, and he had no chance to take a second breath.

'Although he was fourth, he was not far behind the winner [beaten under a length]. Most of the others had a run under their belts and we are expecting a better performance this time.'

Linda´s Lad numbered the Group One Criterium de Saint-Cloud among his three victories last year, and as such will have to carry a 7lb penalty in the totesport.com Derby Trial, although connections are not unduly concerned by the extra burden.

Barjot continued: 'The Group One penalty is a slight worry, but he has that weight for a reason. He is a colt with a touch of quality, and we hope that will be confirmed on Saturday.

'The left-handed track is definitely what he needs - he doesn´t like going right-handed at coursesi like Longchamp. Good ground will be fine for him but he has never run on very quick ground.

'Being by Sadler´s Wells, the trip will be no problem for him. We hope to be in the first three and are confident he will run very well - if he does, he will head to Epsom for the Derby.'

Among those set to take their chance is the Terry Mills-trained Before You Go, who landed the Weatherbys Bank Blue Riband Trial Stakes at Epsom last month.

Marcus Tregoning will make a decision on Botteen´s participation later today, after talking with owner Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum, who could also be represented by the Mick Channon-trained Hazeymm.

The Singspiel colt, who would be making his seasonal reappearance, ran twice over a mile last term, following a promising debut third at Goodwood with a length and a half victory over Papal Bull at Salisbury in September.

Tregoning said: 'He´s a nice horse in the making and he may take his chance. I haven´t spoken with the owner yet - he also has Hazeymm in the race and I suspect he will not run both. Botteen is certainly fit enough.'

The ground at Lingfield is currently good and has been watered.

In addition to the totesport.com Derby Trial, the tote is supporting the Listed totescoop6 Oaks Trial (3.10pm), worth #50,000, which has attracted 28 entries, the #60,000 totesport 0800 221221 Heritage Handicap, with 22 entries, and the Group Three #50,000 totepool Chartwell Fillies Stakes, with 12 entries including one from France and three from Ireland.

Prize money on the day is a grand total of #241,000 - Lingfield Park´s richest raceday.