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    Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien will collaborate in Epsom's Blue Riband Trial following the declaration of a field of six
Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien will collaborate in Epsom's Blue Riband Trial following the declaration of a field of six
Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien will collaborate in Epsom's Blue Riband Trial. Source: racingpost.com

Ryan Moore and Aidan O'Brien will collaborate in Epsom's Blue Riband Trial following the declaration of a field of six

On Tuesday, after appearing in six declarations, Chief Little Rock will try to give Aidan O'Brien just his second victory in Epsom's Blue Riband Trial (2.45).

The three-year-old was last observed in October when he was leading Ancient Wisdom, a Qipco 2,000 Guineas contender, home over a mile in the Group 3 Autumn Stakes at Newmarket.

Chief Little Rock was successful on his second try at Leopardstown in August and went on to finish second in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes in September, behind Deepone.

His trainer won the Blue Riband Trial for the first time in 2019 with Cape Of Good Hope, who later placed fourth in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly behind Sottsass.

This year's field also includes Bur Dubai, who, following three all-weather outings, may get his first turf start for Kevin Philippart de Foy. 

"He'll improve for the step up in trip and the course should suit him," the trainer said. "The owners have always been focused on trying to find Derby horses and this race will help give us an idea of what he could be capable of. He's definitely a late developer and he's strengthened a lot over the winter. He's taken a huge step forward."

In the Listed race, Andrew Balding will try to win a third time aboard Bellum Justum, owned by King Power Racing, who won a mile at Newmarket the previous time.

Defiance, who was last seen placing sixth in the Group 2 Royal Lodge Stakes behind Ghostwriter, is a 14-1 shot for the 2,000 Guineas, according to Roger Varian.

Arabic Legend for trainer Karl Burke and Feigning Madness, trained by Ralph Beckett and undefeated in two juvenile starts, round out the six-strong field.

The Lilley Plummer Risks City & Suburban Handicap (3.20) has seven declared runners, including Western Soldier, Joe Tizzard's rarest runner on the Flat.

There are 13 runners in the Weatherbys Global Stallions App Great Metropolitan Handicap (3.55), which was launched in 1846.

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