BAJ OF HONOUR; Turnell star can give bookies Derby Blues.

Byline: By Garry Owen

AS the 'real' Flat season prepares to kick in, who better to train the Winter Derby winner than National Hunt icon Andy Turnell?

Make no mistake, this guy knows the time of day, with Grand Nationals, Champion Chases and Hennessys to his illustrious name.

What's that got to do with the price of a pint at Lingfield, or indeed, Bajan Blue's chances of picking up this Group 3 prize I hear you ask?

In answer to the former, you'd probably have to own the Winter Derby winner to buy a round here, and concerning the latter, Blue Bajan has an excellent chance of landing this healthy pot of dough and bringing more honours the way of his skilful Marlborough handler.

The son of Montjeu signed off last season with a fine second in the Cambridgeshire to Alan Swinbank's ultra smart Formal Decree who has been putting in some fine performances in Nad Al Sheba at the Dubai Festival.

Turnell sent Blue Bajan to Lingfield in mid November for the Listed Churchill Stakes and looked unlucky to go down by a short head to Gerard Butler's Nayyirafter looking sure to win going inside the final furlong.

Coming off a winter's break, he returned to course and distance last month where once again he did not appear to get the rub of the green and was short-nutted once again, this time by Cusoon.

Turnell said: "He certainly deserves a prize like this as he keeps knocking on the door and, touch wood, his preparation has all gone well.

"We've got to be pleased with the draw in stall one as he needs settling and covering up early on, although he is not as free as he used to be now he's getting older.

"I assume Michael Hills will have him in a position to challenge and he will be going the shortest way for the first mile.

"We could do with an even gallop but it is so competitive and there are one or two others who need a decent pace so I don't think it will be a dawdle."

BLUE BAJAN (3.15) looked as if he would improve for that race and I expect him to be spot on today to score a victory he richly deserves.

TV races gets under way with a tricky handicap where the absence of Ektimaal could leave the door open for the Alan Jarvis-trained CROSS THE LINE (2.10) to open his account. He was last seen in a mile handicap here in October, where he travelled well off a strong pace and looked a certainty when taking it up at the furlong pole but was edged out of it close home by Mick Channon's Zato.

The drop back to seven furlongs looks right for him and I expect Jarvis to have him ready to run a big race.

Henry Daly was knocking at the door during the Festival and with his team in good fettle and ALDERBURN (2.25) can defy top weight here. He was originally aimed at the Racing Post Chase at Cheltenham but those plans were scuppered due to conditions being too soft for him.

Last seen in action at Kempton's Christmas meeting where he ran out an impressive winner, the eight-year-old has bags of ability but has been far from easy to keep healthy. An unexposed type he should figure prominently today and the booking of AP looks significant. Conditions should be ideal and he can land this at the expense of Oliver Sherwood's Brumous who looked as if he would improve for the run when winning a novice chase at Leicester.

I'm looking forward to seeing Gordon McDowall's BIG TIMER(2.40) running today and sincerely hope the Ian Semple-trained three-year-old can recapture the form that saw him win his first three races including the A comb Stakes at York in August.

Ambitious plans saw him travel to Belmont Park in October for the Grade 1 Champagne Stakes on dirt, but he ran no sort of race there eventually being eased down to finish last behind Scat Daddy.

Disregarding that poor show, there was much to admire in his York victory where he still looked green. Held up by Tom Eaves, it looked as if he would need to battle after being shaken up lead at the furlong pole, but a couple of cracks put the race to bed and fingers crossed he can give the Carluke team a season to remember.

Peter Beaumont's strapping mare CLOUDLESS DAWN (2.55) looks the one to be on in the novices' handicap chase.

She had a decent career over hurdles but was always destined to make a name for herself over the bigger obstacles.

She opened her account over fences in an encouraging fashion at Kelso in November, travelling strongly before taking it up on the run in to win by nine lengthd from Ferdy Murphy's Three Mirrors, who franked the form with a win at Market Rasen on Monday.

She jumped with confidence on her next two outings at Huntingdon and Carlisle but found the trip on the sharp side on both occasions. Today's step up will be very much to her advantage. Beamont said: "The ground at Newbury won't be a problem. She has won on quickish ground over hurdles and she doesn't want it heavy.

She's in nice form and it looks the right sort of race for her. We go there very hopeful."

Nicky Henderson has adopted the scattergun approach to the mares' hurdle final with three runners and Mick Fitzgerald rides Karello Bay who was tailed off at Kempton last time after losing a shoe. She looks certain to run her race today but I'm siding with Ollie McPhail on TAMBOURINE DAVIS (3.30) in the hope that it's not another fine mess he's landing me in!

Asister to Irish top class two-miler Klairon Davis, she looks an outstanding bet today racding off what appears a generous handicap mark.

She has progressed well since being sent over hurdles and readily defied a penalty to win at Ludlow in December. Tambourine will appreciate the trip, is open to further improvement and will not be inconvenienced by today's going.

The five furlong spring looks a real hot race and don't blink or you'll miss it! Kevin Ryan is a trainer I'd want to be with this coming season and in KING ORCHISIOS (3.50) he has a real flying machine who might not be in the same class as Amadeus Wolf but looks a useful sprinter in his division.

CAPTION(S):

BOLT FROM THE BLUE: Andy Turnell's smart Blue Bajan (right) can land the Winter Derby at Lingfield this afternoon; TURNELL: Blue heaven