Headline act Lord North proved far too good for his opposition as he went one better than last year in the G3 BetUK Winter Derby at Lingfield Park this afternoon.
The three-time G1 winner was the standout contender on form, although he had a significant absence to overcome having not seen competitive action since July.
Heading three contenders for John & Thady Gosden, Lord North broke sharpest from the stalls under Robert Havlin before settling in fourth as stable-mate Harrovian made the running.
Tyrrhenian Sea moved up to challenge Harrovian approaching the final three furlongs and the duo led the eight runners in to the straight, with Lord North and 2021 winner Forest Of Dean going well in behind.
Once switched out, Lord North found top gear passing the furlong pole and stretched clear in taking fashion to come home an impressive three-and-a-quarter-length winner. Tyrrhenian Sea held on for second, with the staying-on Foxes Tales a neck further back in third.
The BetUK Winter Derby is a Fast-Track Qualifier, with Lord North now guaranteed a start in the £200,000 Easter Classic at Newcastle on Good Friday, although a trip to Dubai now beckons for the seven-year-old.
Havlin said of the 8/11 favourite: “That was like clockwork. Lord North’s work has been a lot brighter and I think that was a better performance than last year, even though today did not have the depth of last year’s race.
“He was a bit laboured through the final furlong and a half here last year, whereas today I was always confident he was going to pick up.
“He is better on galloping tracks, coming off a strong pace, but his class shone through. He has been showing us a bit of that at home – it was as if he was back to being a four or five-year-old.
“Hopefully he can get back on song and win the Dubai Turf outright this year.”
