IT is British racing's oldest guessing game, and it is about to be played again with all the same gusto and enthusiasm as it has been for the past 40 years - what does Lester ride in the Derby? The ball started bouncing again at Goodwood last Tuesday when Lester Piggott partnered the Richard Hannon-trained Geisway to a thrilling, last-stride victory in the ''last chance'' Derby trial, the Predominate Stakes.
Coming from four lengths off the pace with half a mile to travel, Piggott angled Geisway to the outside in the final furlong and then, pouncing late and fast, got up in the shadows of the post to beat Beneficial, the 4-6 favourite, by a short head.
It was hard to disagree with the smiling Piggott's verdict when he declared on dismounting: ''I was brilliant wasn't I?'' All the old touch and judgement came into play, as he clearly set out to beat one horse, the strongly-fancied Beneficial, and pulledit off in style.
Unfortunately, it had been a different story in the Irish 2,000 Guineas at the Curragh the previous Saturday when Piggott brought Vincent O'Brien's Fatherland with a finishing flourish that failed narrowly to catch Barathea, ridden by Michael Roberts.
The critics are hard on Piggott, 57, these days, and they were out in force after seeing him just touched off in the Irish Classic. Nevertheless, Fatherland, a colt by Sadler's Wells, gave the impression that he would get a longer trip, even if Epsom might not be the ideal venue to display his galloping talents.
Consequently, Piggott was linked with the O'Brien colt, and even after Geisway's performance there seem very little doubt that Fatherland would be the Derby mount.