Damysus set to put Derby credentials on the line in Dante

The dream is not over, that was the view on Damysus, who could now be bound for the Dante after his encouraging third in the bet365 Classic Trial.

A taking winner on debut at Southwell, John and Thady Gosden’s colt coped admirably with the step up in class at Sandown, with the smartly-bred son of Frankel – who cost 460,000 guineas as a yearling – beaten only a length and a quarter by Aidan O’Brien’s useful and more experienced scorer Swagman.

Richard Brown, racing adviser to owners Wathnan Racing, said: “We’re delighted and this was a big step up from seven furlongs at Southwell on the all-weather in December to running on turf for the first time over a mile and a quarter in a Classic trial.

“The two horses in front of him had more experience and William (Buick) gave him a sympathetic, educating ride. He was green around the bend before picking up nicely, before just getting a bit tired, so we have to be happy.”

Damysus can be backed at a general 50-1 for the Betfred Derby and his team could now choose to gain further evidence of his Epsom suitability by heading to York on May 15 for their pre-eminent Classic prep race.

Brown continued: “The (Derby) dream is not dead yet and we’ll go back and have a chat with the team in Qatar. John and William thought straight away it would be a good idea to go to York for the Dante, where he would get a flat track and a nice long straight.

“But we’ll chat with the powers that be and then they’ll make the final decision. The dream is not over after that and we have a nice horse on our hands, so we’re delighted with his performance.”