Racing preview for Saturday, May 7

Stoute was last successful two years ago with Snow Sky and while that one did not actually make the Derby, he was nevertheless a smart performer, going on to finish third in the St Leger as well as winning the likes of the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot the following year.

The Derby Trial has not produced the subsequent Epsom victor since High-Rise in 1998 and while it would be a stretch to suggest Across The Stars is a live contender at this stage, victory here would see his current odds of 50-1 shortened dramatically.

This son of Sea The Stars has done all his racing on the all-weather so far, twice finishing second over mile at the end of 2015 before stepping up to a mile and a half to claim a first win at Lingfield last month.

The form of that race would hardly be world class, but Across The Stars’ ability shone through as he scored by two lengths despite running a bit green and having to set his own pace.

A real galloping type, he pulled clear in the final furlong with only the minimum of encouragement to suggest that a step up to this sort of level would be well within his compass, even if the Derby is ultimately beyond him.

Seventh Heaven is similarly improving for Aidan O’Brien in the Betfred Mobile Oaks Trial Fillies’ Stakes.

The Galileo filly opened her 2016 campaign with an impressive Dundalk maiden win last month. Seventh Heaven took a while to find her stride but once she hit top gear, she caught the eye in winning by three and a quarter lengths.

* Selections:

Ascot: 1.55 Reach High, 2.30 Barwick, 3.05 Scotland, 3.40 Tutu Nguru, 4.15 Accession, 4.45 Picket Line.

Lingfield: 1.45 Baileys Mirage, 2.20 Outer Space, 2.50 Light Music, 3.25 Seventh Heaven, 4.00 ACROSS THE STARS (NAP), 4.35 Winter House, 5.05 Tibr.

Haydock: 1.40 Bell Heather, 2.15 All Set To Go, 2.45 Markaz, 3.20 Buywise, 3.55 Don’t Touch, 4.30 Un Noble, 5.00 Ubaltique.

Hexham: 1.50 Ballybill, 2.25 Dante’s Way, 2.55 Chestnut Ben, 3.30 Ganbei, 4.05 Motion To Strike, 4.40 Doitforthevillage, 5.10 Kelka.

Nottingham: 2.10 Still Kicking, 2.40 Outrage, 3.15 Winter Spice, 3.50 Imtiyaaz, 4.25 Ataman, 4.55 Beauty Night, 5.30 Bajan Rebel, 6.00 Lord Reason.

Thirsk: 5.35 Tancred, 6.05 Ellerslie Joe, 6.35 Danzeb, 7.05 Early Bird, 7.35 Lady Lekki, 8.05 Lady Poppy, 8.35 Betty Boo.

Warwick: 5.15 Stowaway Magic, 5.50 Zalgarry, 6.20 Relkwood, 6.50 Missy Tata, 7.20 Libeccio, 7.50 Bally Lagan, 8.20 Action Replay.

Double: Across The Stars and Light Music.