With the first two Classics completed last weekend at Newmarket, attention now turns to the Epsom Derby on June 5.

Following the first Derby trial at Chester this week, won by Ted Spread from the Mark Tompkins stable, Lingfield hold their Group 3 Derby Trial Stakes together with the Listed Oaks Trial Stakes.

A punter at Farnham in Surrey is reported to be in line for a £500,000 pay out if the Aidan O’Brien-trained St Nicholas Abbey puts his disappointing 2,000 Guineas run behind him and wins the Investec Derby.

The punter placed a £1,250 ante post five-fold with Corals on Kauto Star (King George VI Chase) Binocular (Champion Hurdle), Big Bucks (Ladbroke World Hurdle), Special Duty in the 1,000 Guineas and St Nicholas Abbey, placing the bet last November.

However, with the Irish runners still hanging on as favourite for the Epsom showpiece, he will be viewing the Derby trials more closely than most.

A top class field is set to go to post for the Lingfield Trial this afternoon with most of the top yards having an entry.

Aidan O’Brien has Don Carlos entered with Henry Cecil saddling Bullet Train, former Manton trainer Peter Chapple-Hyam has Morana, Desert Myth from the Sir Michael Stoute yard and Rasmy, trained at Lambourn by Marcus Tregoning, to name but a few.

However, having selected the winner of the 1,000 Guineas, Special Duty, last weekend perhaps the column’s luck will continue with Hot Prospect, trained by Michael Jarvis and ridden by Philip Robinson.

The Oaks Trial has attracted some more than useful three-year-old fillies and perhaps an interest on the Henry Cecil-trained Timepiece could prove profitable.

The Group 3 Chartwell Fillies Stakes opens the meeting and backers could get off to a good start by going along with Golden Stream from the Sir Michael Stoute yard, the mount of Ryan Moore.

Later in the afternoon, Tranquil Tiger can return to winning form for trainer Henry Cecil and Super Collider in the Maiden Stakes could be another from the in-form Michael Jarvis yard.

Ascot also stages a six-race card, getting underway with the Listed John Doyle Buckhounds Stakes run over a mile and a half.

Former Manton trainer John Gosden has course and distance winner Duncan entered for the race, due to be ridden by Richard Hughes, and could be the answer to a tricky contest.

Feature race at Ascot is the Totesport Victoria Cup, a Heritage Handicap over seven furlong.

A big field is expected to go to post in what could be another race for the bookmakers but a tentative selection is the Luca Cumani trained Mabait, the mount of Kieran Fallon.

In the final race on the card, the many local followers of trainer Matthew Salaman will be keeping an eye on the very backable Rulesn’regulations.

The course and distance winner has had a couple of runs of late and could well be one to pay for the weekend expenses.

Racing fans are spoilt for choice with other flat meetings at Nottingham, Warwick and Thirsk, with a mixed meeting at Haydock that includes the Class 1 Swinton Handicap Hurdle.