Handicappers' Corner: Haggas filly has the Vow factor at Lingfield

The Chester Vase has been a bit of a Ballydoyle benefit in recent seasons with Soldier of Fortune, Golden Sword and Treasure Beach all successful. David Livingston (Timeform Rating of 112) was sent off favourite to emulate his stablemates, but along with other Irish raider Call To Battle (110), didn't live up to expectations and it was left to the battle-hardened Mickdaam to edge out Model Pupil (113p). The winner's rating of 113 is in line with recent renewals but he lacks potential, having already had nine runs, and will head to Epsom with the look of just a bit-part player.

The Dee Stakes is the other recognised Derby trial run on the Roodeye and it produced a wide-margin winner in the shape of Astrology (115). Admittedly the race fell apart around him on very testing ground, his main market rivals completely flopping, but even a conservative view sees him rated higher than most recent winners and he remains unexposed, so is certainly entitled to take his place in the blue riband, the longer trip sure to be within his reach too.

Moving onto Lingfield, whose big day was the subject of a one-off switch to all-weather, and Main Sequence (116p) maintained his unbeaten record, and race-by-race progression, by cosily beating Shantaram (113p)in the Derby Trial, the pair well clear. He's risen to every challenge so far but this race hasn't produced a Derby winner since High-Rise completed the double in 1998 and history suggests he'll need to improve the best part of another stone to be a factor.

The Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial is Ireland's leading trial for Epsom but this year wasn't a strong race and Light Heavy (115) had to work hard to complete the hat-trick, in spite of the odds-on favourite Wrote (118) disappointing back in third. Light Heavy is reportedly set to bypass Epsom in favour of the Irish Derby, but will have a bit to find on form and now arguably lacks the potential he possessed prior to this win.

It was a mixed bag with regards the fillies trials. The Cheshire Oaks looked weak beforehand, and, with none of the potential improvers stepping up to the mark, the way was left clear for one who doesn't even hold an Oaks entry, Good Morning Star (92), to spring a surprise. She had come up short in handicaps off a mark in the 70's on her three previous outings, which puts a cap on the form, but runner-up Betterbetterbetter (93p) did at least shape like the best horse at the weights, idling once in front and collared close home, and is clearly the best long-term prospect in the line up, well bred and with plenty of scope.

Conversely, the most taking performance in the past few days came from Vow at Lingfield, a rating of 112p the best achieved in the race since Ramruma posted 114+ in 1999, and the manner of victory suggests Vow could emulate Henry Cecil's filly at Epsom, as it smacked of one destined to go right to the top. Admittedly the steady gallop means the bare form can't be viewed in too positive a light, but Vow was value extra on the day, having idled and wandered in front (still green).

The big handicap action of the weekend was the Victoria Cup at Ascot and it went the way of Global Village (105), who has now won half of his ten starts since joining Brian Ellison and is still progressing at the age of 7. Bonnie Brae (111) finished runner-up and is another who should continue to give a good account in big-field handicaps, while Lightning Cloud (108)and Hawkeyethenoo (108+) are also worth noting, both racing on the wrong part of the track this time. The most impressive winner at Ascot was Aiken, who took the mile-and-a-half listed race by ten lengths, posting 118p even though a cautious view based on standards has been adopted. A timefigure of 109 adds substance to the rating and he'll be one to consider if aimed at the Hardwicke next month, two from two over this course and distance.

Sunday was a big race day in France and the Poule d'Essai Des Poulains resulted in a blanket finish, with Lucayan (114) just shading the verdict and the odds-on favourite Dabirism (120) only sixth after meeting some trouble. The fillies' version went more to script and the winner, Beauty Parlour (117p), will hold very strong claims of following up on the Prix de Diane after a stylish success.