Bellum Justum holds off fast-finishing Defiance to land the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom

Derby glory has so far eluded Andrew Balding and King Power Racing, but Bellum Justum thrust himself into the mix for the Epsom Classic when striking in the Listed Blue Riband Trial.

Bangkok could not land a blow for connections in the 2019 Derby, while The Foxes managed fifth last year, but Bellum Justum has gained what they lacked prior to lining up in the world's most famous Flat race – valuable match practice.

The son of Sea The Stars took four starts to get off the mark as a juvenile but made no mistake on his three-year-old debut, travelling powerfully behind favourite Chief Little Rock before storming to the front under Oisin Murphy on his first try beyond a mile.

“We’d seen progress over the winter, but in the last two weeks he’s really come on,” Balding said. “He showed a lot of promise last year, but he had a little setback about a month ago and I thought he was bound to come on for the run and I’m sure that is the case.”

The Foxes won the Dante before finishing fifth to Auguste Rodin in the Epsom Classic, and Bellum Justum may plot a similar course this time.

“We had thought prior to this that whatever he did today, we’d go to the Dante and really find out there,” Balding said.

Bellum Justum was halved in price to 25-1 for the Derby, a race Balding’s father Ian landed with Mill Reef in 1971, and a return here in June remains likely.

"We’ll have to see, he’s very well-balanced, professional and he’ll improve a lot for this run,” Balding said. “He handled the track no problem and Oisin was very impressed with the way he galloped out.

“I’d think he was an intended runner. I’d have to talk to the owners and see what they want to do – they might want to come straight back here. We’ll put it all in the mix and see what happens.

Andrew Balding: has now won the 2,000 Guineas twice in the last four years

Andrew Balding: "It'd be brilliant to have a Derby runner for King Power"Credit: Alan Crowhurst

“It would be brilliant to have a runner for King Power, we’ve had a couple – Bangkok and The Foxes – who didn’t quite come up to the mark for them and I know they’d love to have another go. They are one of our biggest supporters so it’s always nice to get a good winner for them.”

Defiance was sat in last for much of the race and made taking late gains, storming down the outside under James Doyle to take second, beaten just three-quarters of a length.

Roger Varian, who saddled last year’s Derby runner-up King Of Steel, said: “I was delighted with his run. I thought he came away with a lot of credit.

“They went a steady gallop and it suited the horses who raced more prominently than us, but he relaxed well and finished strongly.

“It was a good return and it’s good to do it this way around, so we’ll see how he comes out of it and I’ll have a chat with [owner] Harry Herbert before we think about the Dante or other plans.”

Betfred Derby (1.30 Epsom, June 1)
Betfred: 6-4 City Of Troy, 8 Henry Longfellow, 9 Ancient Wisdom, 12 Arabian Crown, 16 Diego Velazquez, 20 Grosvenor Square, Los Angeles, 22 Ghostwriter, 25 Bellum Justum, Endless Victory, 33 bar.

Read these next:

Skellet taken out of 1,000 Guineas as big guns stand their ground for next month's Newmarket Classics

Racing Post Members' Club: 50% off your first three months