BECK TO THE FUTURE

Ralph hopes to hit the bullseye with York victor Arras and break his Derby duck

- BY DAVID YATES

AMID the afterglow of Bluestocking's victory in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp last October, Ralph Beckett told journalists there was just one race he'd rather win.

There was a glint in the trainer's eye in Paris as he spoke of the Derby being at the top of his wishlist, but his words weren't just for the benefit of the local media.

"The first Arc was run in, what, 1920, and the Derby is 1780," asserts Beckett (above). "That alone puts a different perspective on it.

"As an Englishman, you're always going to want to win the Derby in front of any other race."

Next Saturday, Beckett, who trains at Kimpton Down on the edge of Salisbury Plain, saddles two runners, Pride Of Arras and Stanhope Gardens, in the Betfred-sponsored Classic.