Racing: Shield repels rivals in Derby trial

In battling past rivals from an unpromising position to win Sandown's Classic Trial on his three-year-old debut yesterday, Shield earned his ticket to the Derby. But the Gerard Butler-trained colt, ridden by Eddie Ahern to beat Inch Again and free-running favourite Strength 'n Honour half a length and three-quarters of a length, is judged no better than a 33-1 chance by bookmakers.

Shield, owned by Hesmonds Stud, did well to win after being extricated from the pack only 100 yards from the line, but there will be no further chance to appraise his talents before 7 June, for Epsom will be the next appearance for the son of Barathea. "At this stage there's nothing more he needs to prove," said Butler, "He is a big horse and we were always going to take it slowly. I really thought that he might need the run so it was a good effort."

Kieren Fallon, winner of two of the last three 2,000 Guineas, will ride the William Haggas-trained Audience in the Rowley Mile Classic a week today. The champion jockey, successful on the Sir Michael Stoute's King's Best (2000) and Golan (2001), opted for the Zilzal colt, unbeaten in his two juvenile outings, after partnering him in a spin at Newmarket yesterday. "He worked well," he said. "It's a wide-open race. He feels good and I hope I'm on the right one." The colt was cut from 33-1 to 12-1 by William Hill but remains at the longer price with Coral.

The Guineas second favourite, Lateen Sails, winner of the Godolphin private trial in Dubai, was trimmed to 4-1 by Ladbrokes and Hills after favourable comments by Frankie Dettori. "I rode the horse numerous times on the dirt and he gave me no feel whatsoever," he said, "but on turf I was surprised how well he started and the acceleration he showed."