Junoob ready for Derby test

Tom Dascombe is expecting a bold show from Junoob in the Blue Square Winter Derby at Lingfield.

The Cheshire handler claimed the four-year-old for �12,000 in December, since when he has won two races, including the Winter Derby Trial in good style over the course and distance.

“Junoob has come out of the trial really well and his confidence seems to be growing all the time. With some luck in running, he must run a big race. We held him up the last time with the blinkers back on and he won well,” said Dascombe.

“Premio Loco is the class horse in the race. He’s proved it before and was very unlucky not to win this race two years ago.”

Richard Fahey goes into the race double-handed with Our Joe Mac and Myplacelater.

“We’re sticking a visor on Our Joe Mac for the first time to see if that can dig out a bit of improvement in him,” said the Malton trainer.

“Myplacelater maybe wants a bit further but she’s in good order, I’m happy with her. She’s got some nice form in the book but most of it seems to be on soft ground. We’re keen to give her a run. She’s got a good little slot (drawn three) and they should go a good gallop.”

Ed Walker has targeted Riggins at this for some time and is hoping for a bit of luck in what he feels could be a “muddling” race.

“He ran a bit flat on his last run in November and we just gave him a short break. This has been the plan for some time and he’s a different horse on the all-weather. He’s wintered well, he’s fresh and working well. It looks a wide-open race and I think he’ll run well,” said the Newmarket trainer.

“It could be a muddling race with fancied runners drawn wide and it could be a trappy event. I’m pretty confident the trip won’t be a problem and as long as he settles and is not too fresh he should be fine. He’s not getting any younger but he’s not got many miles on the clock.”