Maltese Cross

William Haggas is weighing up an Irish Derby tilt with Maltese Cross but admitted a trip to France might be more likely for his Betfred Derby runner-up. The son of Sea The Stars was attempting to give the Somerville Lodge handler a second Derby victory on the 30th anniversary of his first ever runner in the race, Shaamit. There was to be no fitting fairytale on a wet and gloomy afternoon on the Surrey Downs, but Maltese Cross fought valiantly for the silver medal behind Aidan O'Brien's Christmas Day to...

And so it comes down to this: 14 runners are set to go to post for the Betfred Derby, which, with a newly elevated prize fund of £2 million, is the co-richest race in Britain in 2026. Five British-breds will take on six horses born in Ireland, two in Germany and one in France, with their origins representing the broad spectrum, from a homebred for one-mare owner Jennifer Dorey to four colts representing the most powerful bloodstock operation in the world, Coolmore. Ten of them were sold either as a...

The birdsong is briefly interrupted as a pair of colts gallop by. Nothing too strong now, for the major work is done. Maltese Cross and Tenability breeze on up Newmarket's Al Bahathri, giving rise to some contented muttering from the father-and-son team watching on. Sam Haggas was only three years old and was "left at home" the day that Shaamit won the Derby for his parents William and Maureen 30 years ago. He plays a different role these days, as the buyer of his father's fifth Derby runner and racing...

Following a remarkable Chester May meeting, Ballydoyle will look to continue their momentum into the weekend, with two Classics at stake on Sunday. Heading the baker's dozen going forward for ParisLongchamp's G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains is the yard's Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere and Criterium International hero Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett), while their Prix Marcel Boussac heroine Diamond Necklace (St Mark's Basilica) is heavily favoured for the 15-strong G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches. Puerto Rico (Wootton Bassett), who will be accompanied by the G3 Killavullan Stakes and Goffs Million winner Dorset...

The countdown to the start of the Flat season proper stepped up a gear last week, thanks in no small part to a certain nine-year-old gelding by Blue Bresil and his explosive exploits at Southwell. Stiffer tasks lie ahead for Constitution Hill in the coming months, likewise the list of largely untested three-year-olds compiled below. From a 40/1 contender for the 1,000 Guineas to a pair of 83-rated handicap prospects, here are 10 under-the-radar names who will hopefully prove profitable to follow during the British turf season. Accredit (GB) Dubawi (Ire)...