Sir Michael Stoute has won the Investec Derby on five occasions - and he looks to have another live contender for the Epsom showpiece on June 7, after Snow Sky landed the Listed betfred.com Derby Trial Stakes at Lingfield.
Upped in trip following his seasonal debut at Newbury, the Nayef colt stayed on powerfully under Jim Crowley to record a two-length success from Hartnell, with Sudden Wonder a further half a length back in third.
While Snow Sky (5-1) - sporting the pink and green colours of Khalid Abdullah, which were carried to Epsom glory four years ago by the Stoute-trained Workforce - is entered in the Investec Derby, his trainer was non-committal about lining up.
He said: "I was very pleased. He is very professional and he shows real honesty. He's a nice horse who stays well and he has a bit of a kick. He ran a nice race initially at Newbury when he wasn't really tuned and he's progressed since. He's got a lovely temper-ament and is very progressive, but it has taken him a while for the penny to drop.
"We knew the extra distance would suit and he handled the track very well. He's going the right way and he has a great mind on him.
"Teddy [Grimthorpe, racing manager to Prince Khalid Abdullah] obviously has to speak to the Prince as he pays the bills, but I'd like to see the Dante at York next week before committing him to the Derby. I wouldn't want to jump now and say he'll definitely go to Epsom.
"He's got the balance, he'll handle the track and he's got a great temperament, but I wouldn't like to tell punters to back him today for the Derby. He ticks all the boxes bar that one."
Ralph Beckett landed the Betfred Oaks Trial Stakes with Secret Gesture last year before the filly finished second in the Epsom Classic, but he is uncertain this year's winner will even line up on June 6.
Beckett had three runners in the extended one-mile-three-furlong Listed event, but it was 12-1 shot Honor Bound who stayed on well under Joe Fanning to score by a nose from Criteria.
The Kimpton trainer said: "This wasn't the one I expected to win, that's for sure. She missed the break and did her jockey no favours at all. At home, she wouldn't even beat me if I was wearing wellies."
It will cost £30,000 to supplement the filly into the Investec Oaks, and Beckett added: "I'm not sure she will be in the race. I will go home and have a look at the tape then decide what to do.
"It is a difficult one. She wants proper slow ground and the ground was plenty quick enough for her today."
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