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Enemy narrowly got the better of the returning-to-action Military Order to land the Winter Derby Trial at Southwell this afternoon.
All eyes were on one-time Epsom Derby hopefuls Military Order and The Foxes, who landed the Grade 2 Dante Stakes at York during his three-year-old campaign, on their eagerly anticipated reappearances but it would be Enemy who would go one better than when runner-up at Newcastle over two and a half miles last month to cause a minor upset in the first running of this valuable conditions event at Southwell.
The pace looked slack throughout as Claymore led the six-strong field over the one-mile and three-furlong journey, but Jane Chappel-Hyam's charge soon began to feel the pinch and it appeared to be Military Order who was travelling best entering the final few furlongs under Danny Tudhope. However, once push came to shove it quickly became apparent the recently gelded Godolphin-owned four-year-old had a fight on his hands and Enemy, who has been plying his trade over further in recent start, soon stuck his nose in front before holding on for a head success under Rossa Ryan from the 11/8 market leader.
The Foxes finished a further two lengths back in third on his reappearance.
Speaking on Sky Sports Racing, winning trainer Ian Williams said of the five-time winner: "He's been very well at home, and we were just looking for an opportunity with him. He was in a handicap at Kempton later in the week, but we thought we'd take this chance and he's really impressed with the way he's managed the trip."
"It was a severe drop back in trip but off his normal racing style, he's sat back and finished strongly to beat quite a class field."
"They didn't go fast but they took each other on early in the straight and that just gave him a chance to sneak into it behind them and finish as strongly as he did. I was mightily impressed with him today; he's getting older now but hasn't lost any of his ability."
With the Winter Derby Trial success earning Enemy automatic qualification for the finale back at Southwell on February 24th, many would have expected the seven-year-old to return to Nottinghamshire for the valuable prize. However, the trainer was keen to keep options open going forward, stating that a return was "by no means a certainty".
Williams added: "I don't think there are any certainties for whatever he's going to do because his owners are very keen on having some nice days racing with him. We'll have a discussion now about what we do with him for the next three months but a great race to win today and I'm delighted to be at Southwell to do so."