'We'll sort it all after York' - United Nations joins strong O'Brien Derby team

Saturday: SBK Derby Trial, Lingfield

United Nations put himself in the reckoning for Ballydoyle's Cazoo Derby team next month when outbattling the favourite Walk Of Stars in Lingfield's Epsom trial.

The son of Galileo put on a professional show under Ryan Moore to see off the Godolphin runner-up and give Aidan O'Brien his third Derby trial of the week following victories in the Chester Vase and Dee Stakes.

O'Brien was landing the contest for the sixth time and for the first time since 2019 when Anthony Van Dyck went on to Epsom glory.

Racing in second in the early stages behind Godolphin second string Natural World in the four-runner field, United Nations began his challenge at the top of the straight and had enough to hold the late charge of the slightly wayward Walk Of Stars by three-parts of a length, with Natural World in third.

United Nations had finished fourth in his seasonal reappearance in the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom last month and was recording his second career success, having been beaten by 2,000 Guineas hero Coroebus in the Autumn Stakes in October.

He now goes into the Classic melting pot along with Chester winners Changingoftheguard and Star Of India and there could be more to come at York next week, with Ballydoyle responsible for four entries in Thursday's Dante Stakes.

O'Brien is already the leading trainer in the history of the Derby with eight wins and United Nations was cut to 10-1 (from 25) by Paddy Power to give him a ninth on June 4.

Coolmore representative Kevin Buckley said: "United Nations put up a professional show today and we thought he would appreciate the extra distance coming out of the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom. We're very happy with that and as he's been around Epsom already, and now here, he's ticked those boxes.

"We'll sit down after the Dante at York on Thursday and sort it all out. Aidan thought he'd stepped forward from Epsom and he put it into practice."

Watch again: United Nations takes Lingfield Derby Trial

Cazoo Derby: entries and betting

Co-owner Paul Smith was in attendance at Lingfield, along with JP Magnier, and he said: "It's a great learning curve for a horse coming here and we can go from here to a championship race.

"We're delighted to be running both here and at Chester this week and this experience can only help him in regards to going back to Epsom. It was only a small field but he did it well and we have some nice chats to have next week."

Adayar was second in the race a year ago before going on to Derby glory for Charlie Appleby but plans remain fluid for Walk Of Stars, who looks a work in progress.

Appleby's assistant Alex Merriam said: "He was hot favourite and it's disappointing that he got beaten but we met one on the day. He hasn't disgraced himself in finishing second and William [Buick] said he handled the track okay. He may have come off a true line in the straight but he's a big raw horse and can only improve mentally.

United Nations (centre) holds off favourite Walk Of Stars to land the Listed contest at LingfieldCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I've just spoken to Charlie and he was unsure about whether he would run at Epsom, but there's only one Derby and those decisions will be made nearer the time. It looks quite an open picture at the moment so we'll leave it to Charlie and His Highness Sheikh Mohammed.

"We haven't got anything in the Dante Stakes at York next week so this was probably our last shot at a trial. We brought Adayar here last year and he also finished second and it didn't harm his chances so we'll see."

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