THE Coors Jersey Derby at Les Landes tomorrow is the second leg of the Channel Islands Triple Crown, with the race favourite, Off Minor already having won the first leg, the CI Champion Hurdle, a fortnight ago.

Should results go to form only the Clarendon Trophy Handicap, on August Bank Holiday, would stand between Mike Weaver’s nine-year-old gelding and the Crown.

Trained by Stephen Arthur, Off Minor surprised many, but not all, with the Champion Hurdle victory two weeks ago.

Having jumped the first two hurdles which are more akin to French hurdles over which Off Minor was initially trained, it was clear he was at ease and that his superior class at level weights would respond to any challenge from the gallant mare Rose Sainte.

Tomorrow he runs in his fifth consecutive Jersey Derby and providing the recent hurdle race has not had any lasting effect, he will be difficult to beat, in this level weight contest, as he is 9 lb and more better off than all his rivals.

The principal opponents are Crossways and Khuzdar from Alyson Malzard’s yard and the Le Brocq family’s Minnie’s Mystery, trained by Colin McCready.

Crossways’ form is not always consistent, but his last race suggests he has an opportunity to repeat his 2004 Derby win, where he beat Off Minor by a head.

The partnership owned Khuzdar notched up four wins last year including the Clarendon Trophy.

However in tomorrow’s race he is 21 lb adversely weighted with Off Minor and this season does not seem to be running with the same consistency.

Finally that leaves Minnie’s Mystery, a previous Derby winner and runner up to Off Minor last year.

Having won two races this year under the strong driving of French jockey Gerald Avranches, she is the one most likely to take Off Minor’s title.

Jockey booking will be the key to this mare’s chances.

Of the rest, Best Before may possibly run into a place if anything is amiss with the principal contenders.

A maiden hurdle sets the scene at 2.30 pm with three runners going to post.

Little is known of their jumping ability but Silver Silence has previously contested a hurdle race before coming to the Island.

He has undoubted speed and will therefore need to be held up until the last two furlongs.

Ian Shenkin’s Groomsman won a competitive one-and-a-half-mile handicap last time out and will stay the distance, as will Cheeky Girl.

It seems therefore the result will probably depend on the jumping ability of these three novices, rather than their flat form.

The sprint race over five-and-a-half furlongs could well see a repeat performance of a similar race a fortnight ago when Highland Flight beat Compton Spark and Perfect Portrait.

The winner has, of course, been slightly penalised for the win, and Compton Spark has a further 6 lb advantage for only a one-and-a-half length defeat.

Perfect Portrait was rather slowly away last time and should finish closer on this occasion.

Myami Racing’s I’M Aimee is another capable of going very close.

The Animal Health Trust Handicap, sponsored by ‘Bunny’ Roberts, is run over an extended mile with 11 runners going to post.

On present form there are about six of these who have the credentials to win.

Missus Links has much ability, but is not the easiest to train, if fully fit and her temperament does not let her down she is the quality horse in the race.

‘Old’ Tony Tie gave Jerseyman Paul Holley a win last time; although a ten-year-old this gelding has put up some consistent performances.

Another from Joan Le Brocq’s yard is Wall Street Runner, who often surprises.

Further down the handicap is the syndicate-owned Time to Wyn, who will win a race, this season.

He was a little unlucky last time when boxed in at a crucial stage of the race and should be much closer this time.

Jane Edgar’s and Johnny Mercier’s Cronkyvoddy is now running to his UK form and will be very close at the finish.

Finally, Treat Me Wild is showing improvement and a repeat performance of last time puts her in with a chance.

The Stayers Handicap, sponsored by the executors of the late Joan May, brings proceedings to a close.

Last year’s winner Hakam runs again and he is difficult to oppose.

He has run well this season over a variety of distances and seems to have both speed and stamina and is reasonably handicapped.

See More Snow, winner first time out this season after a long lay off would have every chance if reproducing that form.

Countryside Pride, second in this race last year and having an exceptionally good run at the moment, winning three races this year, will be in the frame providing he stays a true run one and three quarter mile race.

The ‘Larks’ both Sea and Snow have been a little disappointing this year but perhaps their late season form will improve.

That leaves the Stephen Arthur-trained trio with Last Eclipse giving weight all round.

Pre race preliminaries let her down last time, and she needs to make amends here if she is to be relied upon.

At the other end of the handicap is the partnership owned Return of the Fairy who has placed in every race this season but has always found one or two that bit better; tomorrow she maybe the ‘bride’.

Finally, Shinbang has ability but it is not always evident on the race track.

Alyson Malzard has a three win lead in the trainers’ title, but much can change in one afternoon; a couple of wins tomorrow would probably clinch it for her, or alternatively she may have to wait until August Bank Holiday to be certain of winning the title for another year.