Saxon Street looking to gatecrash Derby party Saxon Street goes on trial for the Derby in the British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday. John and Thady Gosden’s colt has already won one trial this season, over 10 furlongs of the Derby course and distance at Epsom. With that box ticked he now steps marginally up in trip for what is the last recognised pointer for the blue riband, with Thady Gosden expecting the extra distance to bring out more improvement in the unbeaten youngster. He said of the Marc Chan-owned runner: “He won the Blue Riband at Epsom well, hitting the line strong. I expect Saturday’s trip will suit him well and Goodwood is a track he’ll learn a lot at.” Among the four-strong opposition is the Charlie Appleby-trained Del Maro (Tom Marquand), who never looked like getting competitive behind Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini in the Vase at Chester but can be expected to do much better. Also featuring is Golden Story for Karl Burke, who caught the eye with his staying-on third to Constitution River in the Dee Stakes on the Roodee, in what was just his second career start. Command The Stars (George Scott) and Oratorical (David Loughnane) complete the field. Fillies get the chance to advertise their claims for the Oaks in the Fitzdares Height Of Fashion Stakes. Impressive Newmarket winner Earth Shot represents William Haggas, with her chief market rival set to be Brilliant Star in the Anthony Oppenheimer colours for the Gosdens. Thady Gosden said: “Brilliant Star was impressive on her recent two starts winning by wide margins. It is a big step up to Listed class from restricted novices, but she has come out of her last start well and it’s a good spot to step her up.” One who has already had a Classic tilt is the David Menuisier-trained Inis Mor, who was quietly fancied to run a good race in the 1000 Guineas at Headquarters. Her effort on the Rowley Mile was in fact better than her finishing position would indicate, as she was right in the firing line for a long way before her chance faded, and she was not given a hard time inside the final furlong. Menuisier said: “Inis Mor ran two good races in defeat this season in the Nell Gwyn and the 1000 Guineas. She’s bred to stay well and the Height Of Fashion will be her first test over an extended trip. She’s in good form so let’s hope the race will help her show improvement “The Diane (French Oaks) is probably more favourable at the moment should she win this weekend.”
