Oxx hoping King will run in Derrinstown Stud trial

John Oxx is hoping King In Waiting can recover from a setback in time for the Derrinstown Stud Derby Trial at Leopardstown on Sunday week.

The full-brother to Let The Lion Roar and half-brother to Millenary set pulses racing when making a successful debut at the Curragh on the first day of the Irish Flat season in March.

However, the Sadler's Wells colt, who is engaged in the Vodafone Derby and Budweiser Irish Derby, has been off the track with a setback since and his Curragh-based trainer is eyeing the Group Two race on May 14th for his comeback.

"He has had a setback but I would like to get him to the Derrinstown if all goes well," said Oxx. We will have to see but if he continues to improve he could be a nice prospect."

Kastoria, winner of the Galtres Stakes at York last summer, is another high-flyer from the Oxx yard and the master of Currabeg Stables is hoping the five-year-old mare can cut some ice in the top staying races.

"She was a Listed winner last summer and is part of a nice older team of horses that I have," explained Oxx. "She is a nice big sort and I will try and step her up and win a Group race with her."

Oxx can move off the four-winner mark for the season at Tipperary tonight when Adajal is fancied to land the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Maiden.

Adajal showed a nice turn of foot when fourth to Septimus over seven furlongs at Leopardstown on his last start last term and should prove too sharp for 13 rivals.

Meanwhile, Kieren Fallon flew in to partner one of his favourite horses, Cover Up, to a last-gasp victory in the Group Three Hesmonds Stud Sagaro Stakes at Lingfield yesterday.

The feature race of the meeting - transferred from Ascot for the second year running - suffered a blow when last term's winner Alcazar was taken out due to the quickening conditions, leaving just seven starters.

But evergreen nine-year-old Cover Up (4 to 1), three times a winner at the Royal meeting, produced a barnstorming finish to nail 7 to 4 favourite Tungsten Strike on the line for a head verdict.

Fallon, who missed his earlier ride when his flight from Ireland was delayed, was delighted to have arrived in time to ride a horse as useful on the track as he is in his capacity as lead horse to many of trainer Michael Stoute's brightest prospects.

"When it comes down to it, he's one of the toughest horses in training and definitely one of my favourites," said Fallon.

Stoute's representative Owen Burrows was in no doubt about the importance of the Fallon factor. "We were pretty relieved when he made it in time because Kieren knows him better than anybody else and always gets the best out of him," he said.

"We thought it might have been a bit sharp for him but it was the right time to start him off and it's paid off."

Hughie Morrison, frustrated at being forced to bypass Alcazar's bid for repeat victory, gave the horse a quick spin after racing to keep him ticking over for his next possible engagement in the wbx.com Henry II Stakes at Sandown.

Assertive became the first Guineas candidate to make a successful drop down to sprinting when taking the six-furlong V Drinks Transylvanian Red Vodka Pavilion Stakes.

The 13 to 8 shot sat behind early leader Clare Hills before striking for home just over a furlong out and holding the challenge of Kingsgate Bay.