Red Hand: Military Order can book Derby trial place with Newbury victory

Military Order can book his place in a Derby trial by winning the Darley Novice Stakes at Newbury this afternoon.

The Charlie Appleby-trained colt is a full-brother to his Derby and King George-winning stablemate Adayar, so when he made his racecourse debut last season there was plenty of chat about him.

Sent off an odds-on favourite at Newmarket, plenty were disappointed that he could only finish fourth but the winner, Enfjaar, is potentially smart albeit he has not been seen since due to a setback.

There is no doubt the form is of the highest calibre, as the second, third, Military Order himself in fourth and the fifth all won next time out.

Odds-on again, Military Order was always in control next time, with William Buick using only one flick of the whip on his way to victory.

That was over a mile and as Adayar comfortably stays 12 furlongs, this step up to 10 furlongs is just what he needs.

Prince Alex can strike on his first start for Tom Dascombe in the Compton Beauchamp Estates Ltd Silver Bar Handicap.

Now six, in his days with Ralph Beckett he rattled off a five-timer rising from 63 to 86, showing a liking for soft ground.

Sent to Michael Bell, he won a valuable race at Glorious Goodwood off 89 before having just one outing for Johnny Murtagh in Ireland.

He is now back down to his last winning mark and holds a Chester Cup entry, but to ensure he gets a run in that he will need to win this.

The handicapper may have underestimated William Haggas’ Tafreej by giving him a mark of 84 ahead of the Dubai Duty Free Full Of Surprises Handicap.

The Shamardal colt looked all at sea when only sixth behind Guineas hope Sakheer on his debut, but caught the eye when third on his second outing at Newbury. It was no surprise when he won next time out at Yarmouth.

Haggas steps him up to seven furlongs first time out at three and his pedigree suggests that should suit.

The Scottish Grand National meeting begins at Ayr, where the best bet on the first day is Paul Nicholls’ Afadil in the Remus Uomo Handicap Hurdle.

While he is a four-year-old taking on his elders, he was only beaten by stablemate Blueking D’Oroux at Ascot and that one went close to following up at Aintree last week.

Sandy Thomson’s Bass Rock has not gone on as looked likely having won on his chasing debut but back up in trip for the Hillhouse Quarry Handicap Chase, he can return to winning ways.