Durcan sets up a shot at Epsom Derby with victory in key trial

Dubai: Former seven-time UAE champion jockey Ted Durcan has his eye on the Epsom Derby after winning a key trial at Lingfield racecourse yesterday.

Durcan prised out an eye-catching victory aboard Main Sequence in the 2,400 metre event on the track that is similar to the one at Epsom, winning by three quarters of a length from the favourite Shantaram, the mount of William Buick.

The David Lanigan-trained winner took his unbeaten record to four and will now be prepared for a shot at the English blue ribbon in three weeks time.

"He's earned his place in the Derby," said the trainer, a former assistant to Sir Henry Cecil, told Racing UK. "I'll have to sit down with [owners] the Niarchos family and [racing manager] Alan Cooper. He's in the French Derby too,"

The Aldebaran colt raced at the rear of the eight-horse field before Durcan worked his way toward a gap on the rails as they straightened for home. As Shantaram hit the front Main Sequence was doing the better work and gradually wore down the leader to win.

Durcan, who has won two English Classics with Light Shift (Oaks, 2007) and Mastery (St. Leger, 2009), said of the winner: "He was really switched off and settled. He's a really nice horse and I'm sure he'll stay a mile-and-a-half standing on his head now."