Alan King’s growing presence on the Flat could lead to a Derby contender later this year, with Spyce set to put his Classic credentials to the test early in the new season.

The Barbury Castle handler may be most associated with Cheltenham Festival winners, but is of course a multiple Group One winner on the level thanks to Trueshan.

Derby entrant Spyce was second in York’s Convivial maiden on debut before opening his account at Yarmouth and after finishing the campaign with a pleasing run behind Epsom favourite Pierre Bonnard in the Zetland Stakes, is set to go on trial in the early stages of the new Flat turf season.

“He’s working away really well and I’m not completely sure where he will start yet but it will be a Derby trial somewhere,” said King.

“He was fourth in the Zetland at Newmarket which was a mile and a quarter at the back-end of last season so I think he will be wanting 10 furlongs plus.

“I’ll see when he’s ready, I had Sandown in the back of my head for the Derby trial there (April 24), but we’ll just see how we’re getting on.”