We won't be Cross with Team Haggas as colt backed to show class in Derby trial

MALTESE CROSS (1.58) can show his mettle for Team Haggas in the Lingfield Derby Trial.

- BY GARRY OWEN

The colt was a relatively-unfancied 11-2 chance ahead of his debut at Ascot in September.

But he oozed potential when just failing to catch River Card in a hot one-mile maiden.

The William Haggas-trained three-year-old put that run to excellent use when outbattling River Card at Newmarket.

The son of Sea The Stars was expected to improve for stepping up to 1m 2f this year.

He duly confirmed that impression with an impressive defeat of My Love Is King at Newbury.

The bay showed a nice mix of class and guts so he can deny a strong field upped another furlong. DOUBLE RED (12.55) can anger his opponents in the opening William Hill Handicap.

Henry Candy's gelding enjoyed a productive 2025 with three wins.

He began 2026 by dispatching Victors Spirit on the all-weather at this venue.

The grey still looks fairly-treated back on turf so he can shade this trappy contest.

ROMANTIC SYMPHONY (1.28) looks enticing for Charlie Appleby in the Lingfield Oaks Trial. The filly was sent off a red-hot 10-11 favourite on debut over a mile at Newmarket in September.

She fully justified those odds with a decisive defeat of Tryst in a strong maiden.

Given time to develop, the bay returned over 1m 3f in another warm contest at Kempton.