Bangkok fuels Derby dreams of King Power Racing after Classic Trial success

Racing and football can come together for another fairytale at Epsom on June 1, when Bangkok will seek to win the Investec Derby after underlining his class in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on Friday.

The blue and white colours of 2015-16 Premier League champions Leicester City's late chairman Vichai Srivaddhanaprabha will bid to make it a million-to-one double in the top flight of sport after the horse he bought with a Classic dream in mind lived up to his reputation.

The King Power Racing team that the Thai businessman, still referred to as ‘the chairman’, assembled just two years ago to enjoy racing’s premier fixtures is building a big legacy, with the horse named after his country’s capital proving a hit attraction.

The Sandown race may not have proved a rich seam of Classic winners this century but bookmakers are beginning to believe in the Derby dream as well, as Bangkok’s price shortened to a general 12-1 (from 25).

Silvestre de Sousa was at pains to get Bangkok to settle off the pace. He still breezed past his rivals, with De Sousa having only to push him out to beat market rival Technician, who did not enjoy the clearest run.

Winning trainer Andrew Balding said: "It's important for the long term that he learns to settle and switch off; obviously with going further it's imperative. I’m glad he showed a nice turn of foot.

Silvestre de Sousa glances at the screen to see he is well clearCredit: Edward Whitaker

"I think we'll go straight to Epsom. We've got time to take in another trial if we want to, but I think it's very unlikely and we'll probably go straight there.

"Quite possibly we could go to Breakfast With The Stars. I’d have no issues about the track for him though – he's a well-balanced horse."

Technician's trainer Martyn Meade was left to dwell on what might have been after his colt found himself hemmed in by rivals.

"He didn't get the run of the race," said the Manton trainer. "He had nowhere to go a couple of times and is not the quickest in the world – he'd have finished a lot closer.

"We will regroup. He's in the Dante but it might be a mile and a half for him now. It was only his fifth run and he hasn't done anything wrong."

Result, replay and analysis

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