Sandown plays host to Friday's G3 bet365 Classic Trial, and the early pointer to Epsom's June 3 G1 Investec Derby contains a trio of contenders by Frankel (GB) among a field of five declarations. The 10-furlong heat is headed by John Gosden trainee Monarchs Glen (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who caused a stir when annexing an 11-panel handicap at Kempton on seasonal return on Apr. 12 and will go postward as the likely favourite. “Monarchs Glen won very nicely at Kempton, but he is not in the Derby,” said Gosden, who holds the record of seven renewals. “He is strong-headed, but is a lovely horse and Sandown should suit him. For the first run of the year they are full of it, but he has had a run and settled down. He showed a good turn of foot as they passed the junction there and it was a bit of a surprise to us.” Gosden also saddles Frankel's first winner Cunco (Ire), whose busy juvenile campaign concluded with a seventh in the Oct. 30 G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud last time. “Cunco is a whole lot calmer now,” his trainer added. “When we ran him in France he ran really well. I am happy with him, he is a real stayer and a mile-and-a-half will be his trip. He is settling a lot better at home.”
The Frankel triumvirate also includes the Oct. 8 G3 Prix de Conde victor Frankuus (Ire), who finished one spot behind Cunco at Saint-Cloud. “He was entered at Epsom [for the Derby Trial] on Wednesday and it was just a toss of the coin which race to go for,” revealed trainer Mark Johnston. “He's a big, rangy horse and there hasn't been much change physically. He was not a big yearling, but grew as a 2-year-old and everything has gone to plan over the winter. Although there is speed on the dam's side, he has already won over nine furlongs and looks more like a middle-distance type to me.”
Further opposition is provided by David Simcock trainee Fierce Impact (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), who comes back off a once-out maiden win at Yarmouth in October. “He is a bit of an unknown quantity and won his maiden well last year, but he is a lazy work horse and is a difficult horse to gauge at home,” explained Simcock. “He surprised us when he won his maiden and there is no set plan for him. We just want to see where we are with him.”
The quintet is completed by Intern (Ire) (Rip Van Winkle {Ire}), who has moved to Ralph Beckett since winning a July 14 Leopardstown maiden and running third in Tipperary's Aug. 16 Listed Canford Cliffs S. for David Wachman. “Intern's been in the yard since September and has had a good winter,” revealed jockey Fran Berry. “He's training very well and we're pleased with how he's come along. He has shown us plenty and is working like a horse it's worth having a shot at a Classic trial with. He will enjoy the step up in distance and I'm hopeful of a good show in a fascinating race.”
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