Action to test Derby credentials in red-hot Sandown trial

Action has the opportunity to strengthen his Derby claims in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on Friday.

Aidan O’Brien saddled Swagman to win the Group Three contest 12 months ago and this year’s candidate sets a lofty standard on the strength of his juvenile form.

Third behind 2000 Guineas favourite Bow Echo in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket, he signed off his 2025 campaign by finishing a half-length second to stablemate Hawk Mountain in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, with another Ballydoyle ace in current Derby favourite Benvenuto Cellini back in third.

Action is a best-priced 16-1 with bet365 for the premier Classic at Epsom, and O’Brien said: “Action is going to Sandown, he was second in the Futurity last season and that is the plan to start him there.

“We’re very happy with him, he’s done very well physically.

“He will improve plenty, but we’re happy to start him.”

The two biggest threats to the hot favourite appear to be the once-raced pair of Raaheeb and Wise Prince.

Ascot maiden winner Raaheeb is bred to be a superstar as a full-brother to both the brilliant Baaeed and dual Group One winner Hukum, and trainer Owen Burrows is keen to learn whether he has a genuine Derby contender on his hands.

“We’ve had this in mind for a while for him and we’re looking forward to it,” said the Lambourn handler.

“We’re not expecting to be winning – if he can get anywhere close to these on his second start it’s a fair effort.

“He’s a horse who is just going to improve with racing and as he gets older, so it won’t be the end of the world if he’s not winning on Friday, but we need to know where we are with him.

“He lacks experience and we are putting him in the deep end a little bit, so we’ll see.”

Wise Prince made a successful start to his career at Nottingham in the autumn for John and Thady Gosden and he too holds an Epsom entry.

Charlie Appleby and William Buick team up with Al Zanati, who won a Group Three in France on his final juvenile start.

Appleby told the Godolphin website: “Al Zanati has a few pounds to find with Action on the ratings, but he is ready to get his season under way and should enjoy stepping up to a stiff mile and a quarter.”

Spyce (Alan King), Oceans Four (Brian Meehan) and Winding Stream (Richard Hughes) complete the field.