Lingfield target for Blue

Illustrious Blue is next likely to be seen in action in the Winter Derby at Lingfield on March 24.

The William Knight-trained four-year-old had been under consideration for a Group Two in Dubai tomorrow.

But having missed the cut for the Haafhd Jebel Hatta, connections have instead decided to target the highlight of the British all-weather season.

Illustrious Blue, already a winner this year thanks to a superb success on his only start at the Dubai International Racing Carnival, will fly back to England in a fortnight.

“Not getting into the Group Two in Dubai is far from the end of the world as we have always had an equally attractive alternative option back here for him,” Newmarket-based Knight told his website, www.wknightracing.co.uk.

“But he will stay out in Dubai until March 12 when he will be brought home to be prepared for a crack at the Winter Derby.

“It was enhanced to Group Three status last year and is a very valuable race for the time of year.”

Knight also outlined that his stable star is unlikely to line up in the William Hill Lincoln, for which he is the 12-1 joint-favourite with the sponsors.

“At present, the Lincoln isn’t on his agenda,” he said.

“As long as he emerges in good shape from his planned Winter Derby engagement, we would then probably look at something like the Earl Of Sefton on April 19 at Newmarket.”