THE All-Weather Championships in Britain are heating up nicely in advance of Finals Day in April (for which there are four Fast-Track Qualifiers at Dundalk in March). The Listed Winter Derby Trial at Lingfield Park on Saturday was a particularly classy affair, dominated by horses that had already won at group-race level. In the event, the Meld Stakes winner Decorated Knight (99) got the verdict by a short-head from the September Stakes winner Arab Spring.

Sectionals show that a good early pace slackened mid-race, leading to a fast finish. The overall time inevitably suffered and came back at 99 for a first two who had personal bests of 112 and 111 previously.