Spyce has thrived through the winter and will get a Derby entry next month

February 17

There might still be 39 days until the curtain goes up for the 2026 Flat season, but on arguably one of the few bright, and certainly dry mornings that we have experienced at Barbury this year, it was terrific to see the likes of Spyce and Deedaydiva, both of whom showed enormous promise at two last summer, joining the better-known jumping stars on the Sharpridge all-weather gallop.

Alan said:”Spyce, who finished only three lengths behind the Derby’s ante-post favourite Pierre Bonnard in the Zetland Stakes at Newmarket last back-end, has done well physically through the winter and we will be entering him for the Derby in early March, while Deedaydiva, who was a decisive winner of a valuable fillies maiden at Sandown in August, is doing two canters a day and will step up her work-schedule next month.”

The jumpers are on hold until Saturday, with Alan hoping that Kempton do not get the forecast 10mm of rain as he has five entries, while provided Paradias comes through a workout tomorrow, he will return to Lingfield on Saturday for a mile and a half handicap on the all-weather.

On his only previous visit to the Surrey course, Paradias made a winning debut over hurdles in November 2023, but he has taken well to an artificial surface, winning two of his seven races and only once finishing out of the frame.

Alan added:”Paradias needs one more run on the all-weather to clinch a place on Championships Finals Day on Good Friday (April 3). He was beaten a neck at Wolverhampton on Boxing Day, his first run since last May, but they put him up a pound, and he went up another pound when he was worn down close home at Kempton last month.”