Globetrotters Pyledriver and Lord North feature among 16 entries for the £100,000 G3 BetUK Winter Derby at Lingfield Park on Saturday, February 25.
Pyledriver has been sidelined since his stunning success in the G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot in July, with co-trainer William Muir indicating that the BetUK Winter Derby is likely to be his first race back.
The popular six-year-old showed his liking for the 10-furlong course and distance last winter, when he gave 7lb and a beating to Harrovian in the Listed Churchill Stakes.
Lord North has unfinished business in the BetUK Winter Derby, having chased home impressive winner Alenquer in 2022 on what was his first start in almost a year.
John & Thady Gosden’s multiple G1 winner dead-heated with Panthalassa in the G1 Dubai Turf on his next start before three creditable efforts in Europe, including a close fourth in the G1 Eclipse.
The Gosdens have a strong hand as the stable chases a fourth BetUK Winter Derby in five years, with Lord North joined by triple G3 winner Mostahdaf, 2021 scorer Forest Of Dean and Harrovian.
Easter Classic winner Living Legend is set to return to action over the coming weeks. The seven-year-old followed up his Good Friday success with some high-class performances on turf, most notably defeating Yibir in the G2 Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.
Trainer Charlie Johnston said: “We have given Living Legend a BetUK Winter Derby entry and he has also been nominated for the Amir Trophy in Qatar, which takes place the week before.
“Plans are fluid at the moment. We would ultimately love to take him back to Newcastle for the Easter Classic, although with the way the programme book has fallen this year, it is going to make it difficult to qualify unless we win the Winter Derby.
“The Magnolia Stakes and Finals Day were three weeks apart last year, whereas this year it is only a six-day gap due to Easter falling earlier, which makes having three qualifying runs very difficult.
“There is plenty to think about and we will decide whether we go for the Winter Derby or take up the Qatar option nearer the time.”
King Power Racing duo of Foxes Tales and Fox Tal also feature among the entries, while Simon & Ed Crisford are responsible for progressive handicappers Base Note and Al Agaila.
Listed Wild Flower Stakes second Purple Ribbon is one of two entries for Charlie Fellowes, while Roger Varian relies on last year’s Easter Classic runner-up Tyrrhenian Sea.
Aside from being one of the highlights of the All-Weather Championships, the BetUK Winter Derby is the last of four Fast-Track Qualifiers for the £200,000 Easter Classic at Newcastle on Finals Day.