Saxon Street can book Derby ticket

After weeks of Classic trials, Goodwood is the last call for Derby- and Oaks-contenders to book Epsom tickets and Saxon Street should oblige for the Gosdens in the British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes on Saturday.

He was slowly away and learning on the job on his sole run at two at Chelmsford, having to wait on the rail before running on powerfully once in the clear to suggest good things would await over middle distances at three.

That view was only reinforced on his reappearance at Epsom over 2000m of the Derby course in the Blue Riband Trial, where he was well on top and going away at the line.

The extra 200m here is only going to suit and he looks a far from forlorn hope for the premier Classic at this stage.

Earth Shot can give William Haggas a serious Oaks player with victory in the Fitzdares Height Of Fashion Stakes.

Haggas already has Maltese Cross for the Derby and this daughter of Time Test was seriously impressive last time out, bolting up at Newmarket. Her only run at two was full of promise, behind stablemate My Ophelia, and she is another who will love 2400m if she gets to Epsom after this.

Coppull looks the best option in the William Hill Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.

His two-year-old form bears pretty close inspection, beaten less than four lengths by Gstaad in the Coventry before accounting for the subsequent Group One-winning Puerto Rico at Goodwood. He also ran in a red-hot Prix Morny and claimed third in the Middle Park.

He won the Commonwealth Cup trial at Ascot first time up this year and trainer Clive Cox knows exactly what he is doing with this type of horse.

The Jim Goldie-trained American Affair will need to show more than he did at York to play a leading role in the William Hill Temple Stakes. However, that was his first run since his Group One victory at Royal Ascot last year, so he was entitled to be rusty, and ante-post money this week points to him going much closer.

Back to the Gosdens, the fact Danielle has stayed in training as a five-year-old strongly points to connections believing she can significantly add to an already strong CV.

The Anthony Oppenheimer-owned mare can start off in the perfect fashion with victory in the Group Three William Hill Bronte Cup Fillies’ Stakes at York.

Fifth at Ascot on British Champions Day, she absolutely bolted up at Doncaster in November in a race in which only Estrange had been too good for her 12 months earlier.

The Clarehaven outfit might be set for a particularly good day on the Knavesmire, with Cuban Heels likely to take the beating in the Tomahawk EBF Restricted Novice Stakes.

The Havana Grey colt was sent off favourite for what might turn out to have been a good contest at Ascot, having to settle for third to Night Of Vegas and Victory Gold. The Coventry at the Royal meeting has been mentioned for those two and it would be no surprise if the Gosden runner ends up there, too, as there was a fair bit to like even in defeat.

Classic action comes from the Curragh, where it will be a big surprise if Gstaad does not go one place better than at Newmarket to lift the Tattersalls Irish 2,000 Guineas.

After a fine juvenile campaign that culminated in victory at the Breeders’ Cup, the Aidan O’Brien-trained colt found only the unbeaten Bow Echo too good on the Rowley Mile, with the pair miles clear.

Given O’Brien’s can take a run to reach concert pitch, that was a huge effort. – Press Association

SELECTIONS:

BANGOR: Race 1 – 14.50 Ladies Day, Race 2 – 15.25 Mary, Race 3 – 16.00 Crystal Glance, Race 4 – 16.32 Gris Majeur, Race 5 – 17.10 Somespring Special, Race 6 – 17.45 Jetty May, Race 7 – 18.20 Magnifix Du Moulin.

CARTMEL: Race 1 – 14.35 Hawk’s Rock, Race 2 – 15.10 Belle Le Grand, Race 3 – 15.43 Penny Perfect, Race 4 – 16.20 Tellherthename, Race 5 – 16.55 My Gift To You, Race 6 – 17.30 Defence Witness, Race 7 – 18.05 Line Of Descent.

CURRAGH: Race 1 – 14.20 Bold Commander, Race 2 – 14.55 Arouet, Race 3 – 15.30 Dawn Rising, Race 4 – 16.05 Comanche Brave, Race 5 – 16.40 Gstaad, Race 6 – 17.15 Causeway, Race 7 – 17.50 Star Of Sapphire, Race 8 – 18.25 Bishopton, Race 9 – 18.55 Count Bezukhov.

GOODWOOD: Race 1 – 14.25 Wechaad, Race 2 – 15.00 SAXON STREET (NAP), Race 3 – 15.35 Coat Of Red, Race 4 – 16.10 Earth Shot, Race 5 – 16.45 Triumph, Race 6 – 17.20 Spinning Wheel, Race 7 – 17.55 Riley Rocks.

HAYDOCK: Race 1 – 14.45 Wemightakedlongway, Race 2 – 15.20 Laureate Crown, Race 3 – 15.58 Coppull, Race 4 – 16.30 American Affair, Race 5 – 17.05 Hermetic, Race 6 – 17.40 Bintaryana, Race 7 – 18.15 Eternal Force.

SALISBURY: Race 1 – 18.45 Viking Barbie, Race 2 – 19.15 Aspull, Race 3 – 19.45 Golden Brown, Race 4 – 20.15 Almeraq, Race 5 – 20.45 Lovers Leap, Race 6 – 21.15 Fahidi, Race 7 – 21.45 Shayhana.

WINDSOR: Race 1 – 17.57 Distant Rumble, Race 2 – 18.30 Greek Street, Race 3 – 19.00 Patronise, Race 4 – 19.30 Legacy Rock, Race 5 – 20.00 Marengo Storm, Race 6 – 20.30 Masqool, Race 7 – 21.00 Proposal, Race 8 – 21.30 Worlington.

YORK: Race 1 – 14.30 Mae Amor, Race 2 – 15.05 Cuban Heels, Race 3 – 15.40 Pilgrim, Race 4 – 16.15 Danielle, Race 5 – 16.50 Cotai Eye Joe, Race 6 – 17.25 Moment Of Light, Race 7 – 18.00 Paladin.