Derby contenders unleashed in Sandown's Classic Trial on Friday - plus three eyecatching entries on the card

Wathnan Racing's leading Derby hope Damysus is among five runners set to line up in Friday's bet365 Classic Trial (3.35) at Sandown.

The race has been the springboard for two Derby winners in the last few years. Adayar went on to Epsom glory following his second to Alenquer in 2021, while the following season Westover captured the Irish Derby for Juddmonte after his success at Sandown.

One of Juddmonte's main Derby hopes also features in Windlord, who represents the in-form Andrew Balding stable. A grandson of the outstanding mare Goldikova, he was last seen finishing a promising third in the Beresford Stakes at the Curragh in September.

Damysus, made 50-1 for the Derby after his easy win in a Southwell novice in December, is one of two unbeaten runners in the line-up. William Buick will take the ride after Godolphin's two runners, Bedouin Prince and Devil's Advocate, were not declared.

Newmarket debut winner I Am I Said runs for Arc-winning trainer Ralph Beckett, who also saddles Sir Dinadan.

Ralph Beckett: "We've made the sport difficult to follow"

Ralph Beckett: runs two in the Classic TrialCredit: Edward Whitaker

Aidan O'Brien has not won this race since 2011 and has Ryan Moore booked to ride Swagman. He was last seen finishing second in the Tyros Stakes at Leopardstown in July, beaten by subsequent Group 1 winner Hotazhell.

A quality field of eight will go to post in the bet365 Mile (3.00), including Irish 2,000 Guineas runner-up Haatem, who is set to make his return. He missed the second half of last season after winning the Jersey Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Haatem and James Doyle winning the Jersey Stakes

Haatem: winner of last year's Jersey StakesCredit: Patrick McCann (racingpost.com/photos)

Tamfana, who finished last season with a third-place finish behind Charyn in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes on Champions Day, will run for David Menuisier, while Lead Artist and Dancing Gemini were also declared.

Ryan Moore has picked up a rare ride for Godolphin in the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (2.25) aboard Arabian Crown. He was ruled out of the Derby with a setback and only returned at Meydan last month, finishing fourth in the Dubai City Of Gold.

Moore had been provisionally booked to ride Ancient Wisdom, who was double the price of Arabian Crown overnight at 10-1, but William Buick will partner last year's Derby eighth for Godolphin.

Three eyecatching entries at Sandown on Friday

Arabian Crown

2.25 Sandown: bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes (Group 3, 1m2f)

Charlie Appleby's four-year-old burst into Derby contention when a three-and-a-quarter-length winner of the Classic Trial on this card last year, a victory which saw him shortened to 6-1 (from 12s) for Epsom.

However he was ruled out of the race due to a setback and made his belated return in a Group 2 over 1m4f at Meydan last month, finishing a five-length fourth behind stablemate Silver Knott.

Arabian Crown is entitled to come on for that outing, while a return to this track and trip should suit.

Arabian Crown14:25 Sandown

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Jky: William Buick Tnr: Charlie Appleby

Dancing Gemini

3.00 Sandown: bet365 Mile (Group 2, 1m)

Charyn took the Doncaster Mile on Lincoln day last year before following up in the bet365 Mile, and Dancing Gemini bids to repeat the feat after his win at Town Moor on March 29.

The Roger Teal runner was second in last year's French 2,000 Guineas before going on to contest the Derby, Eclipse and Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and took advantage of the drop down to Listed class to make a winning return last month under Kieran Shoemark.

With Shoemark booked for the ride on Lead Artist, Rossa Ryan takes over on Dancing Gemini, who holds a race-fitness edge on his main market rivals.

Dancing Gemini15:00 Sandown

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Jky: Kieran Shoemark Tnr: Roger Teal

Windlord

3.35 Sandown: bet365 Classic Trial (Group 3, 1m2f)

By Dubawi and from the family of 14-time top-level winner Goldikova, Windlord posted progressive Racing Post Ratings in his four juvenile starts, bolting up by five and a half lengths in a York novice on his penultimate run before ending his juvenile campaign with a close third in the Group 2 Beresford Stakes at the Curragh.

The Beresford form was boosted when the winner, Hotazhell, followed up in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, while the runner-up, Tennessee Stud, also went on to taste Group 1 success as a juvenile in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud.

Windlord represents red-hot trainer Andrew Balding and is a best-priced 66-1 for the Derby.