SANDOWN stages an important Derby trial this afternoon featuring the leading Middleham-based contender, Hearthstead Wings (2.20).

Mark Johnston's colt rounded off last season by finishing third in the one-mile Gran Criterion, an Italian Group 1 event that invariably throws up some useful clues to the Classic picture.

Further encouragement can be derived from the fact that on breeding Hearthstead Wings has the perfect pedigree to do the job since he's a son of In The Wings, whose stock improve with both time and over a distance of ground.

Johnston's bang-in-form stable also has a good chance of completing a treble with Spirit Of France (2.55) and Quizzene (4.35).

Spirit Of France, who incidentally is probably the stable's second string behind Crosspeace, looks like he'll appreciate the step up in trip, while Quizzene will be far fitter as a result of his excellent return at Beverley nine days ago.

Having landed a 7-1 winning nap for the column on Wednesday with King's Thought, trainer Steve Gollings is once again relied upon to bring home the bacon with Royal Shakespeare (1.45) in the Concept Hurdle.

Although Royal Shakespeare has struggled taking on some of the top two milers so far term, he did show signs of a revival when runner-up in last Saturday's Scottish Champion Hurdle.

According to the Official Ratings Royal Shakespeare has most to fear from Rooster Booster, however seeing as the latter has become something of a professional loser, the Gollings-trained representative gets the nod.

Michael Dods has blasted out of the traps for the turf season with many of his horses either winning or finding the frame.

One such example was Wolverhampton-bound Zhitomir (3.20), who wasn't beaten far when heavily supported in the market at Thirsk last week. Zhitomir is equally effective on polytrack and given he has a fair mid-field draw in stall seven, seems sure to go well in the £4,000 Betfred Handicap.

Malcolm Saunders does well on the all-weather circuit with his small string, one such example is previous course and distance scorer, Seldemosa (4.55) a strong fancy for The Bonus King Handicap.

Seldemosa palpably failed to stay the near ten-furlong trip on her latest visit to the Midlands' venue, and is well worth another chance back at her optimum trip.

Waterlogged Newton Abbot must survive a 10am inspection, but make a note of Nick's Choice (6.00) in the Lan Jam Handicap Hurdle. Dai Burchell's gelding produced a courageous display to collect over track and trip last time out and warrants great respect.

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