Winter Derby For Festive Fare & Maverick Wave

Time/Date - 15.20hrs local time/Saturday, February 27, 2016
Racecourse/Country - Lingfield Park/UK
Surface/Distance - Polytrack/1m 2f

Festive Fare and Maverick Wave return to Lingfield Park, UK on Saturday, February 27 for the G3 Coral Winter Derby over a mile and a quarter on Polytrack.

Both Godolphin horses ran over the same course and distance on their most recent starts.

Festive Fare, trained by Charlie Appleby, kept on well when second, beaten half a length by Grendisar, in the Listed coral.co.uk Winter Derby Trial on February 6.

The four-year-old son of Teofilo readily won a Tapeta handicap over half a furlong shorter at Wolverhampton in December and was also successful on both of his other All-Weather appearances, including a debut victory in a mile maiden at Lingfield Park in January 2015.

Five-year-old Maverick Wave (John Gosden/Robert Tart), who was fifth in last year's coral.co.uk Winter Derby Trial, faded to sixth behind Let's Go in the Listed coral.co.uk Churchill Stakes on November 14.

The Elusive Quality horse has gained four All-Weather victories, including a 10-length success in a Polytrack handicap at Chelmsford City in March, and has also shown a high level of form on turf, headed by a half-length success over subsequent G1 winner Cannock Chase in the G3 Betfair Huxley Stakes at Chester in May.

Charlie Appleby said: "Festive Fare came out of the trial for this race in good order and we hope that he might have learnt a bit from that experience.

"He didn't come down the hill very well last time but galloped out strongly. We have put cheek-pieces on him this time to hopefully allow him to race more prominently and help him to travel better down the hill.

"Adam Kirby can't do 8st 13lb and Martin Lane is injured, so Andrea Atzeni will be taking the ride.

"I am expecting a big run from him."

John Gosden commented: "Maverick Wave is ready to begin his campaign. Since he is rated 110, there are few opportunities for him until later in the season."

Festive Fare, ridden by Andrea Atzeni for the first time and drawn three, and Maverick Wave, who exits from stall six, face eight rivals including Grendisar, who was second to Godolphin's Tryster in last year's Winter Derby, course and distance Listed winner Battalion and multiple South America G1 scorer Furia Cruzada.