Confirmed runners and riders for Reach For The Moon's return in the Heron Stakes

One-time Derby hope Reach For The Moon will make his return in the Listed Coral Heron Stakes at Sandown after being among six declarations for Thursday's feature.

The John and Thady Gosden-trained three-year-old has been absent since September, where he was beaten a head by Bayside Boy in the Group 2 Champagne Stakes at Doncaster.

The son of Sea The Stars, who is owned by the Queen, has endured an interrupted preparation for his three-year-old campaign and was ruled out of the Derby this month, having failed to recover in time from an injury sustained on the gallops last autumn.

7.15 Sandown, Thursday card

He finished second in last year's Chesham at Royal Ascot behind Point Lonsdale and his Sandown return is likely to be a springboard back to the royal meeting, where he holds an entry in the King Edward VII Stakes.

Frankie Dettori retains the partnership and the duo will take on five rivals including the unexposed My Prospero, who built on a debut third to Claymore as a juvenile by winning a strong Newbury maiden on return.

Frankie Dettori: rides Reach For The Moon in the Heron StakesCredit: Edward Whitaker

Akhu Najla, trained by Roger Varian, also made it second-time lucky with a dominant success on return at Yarmouth and having cost a jaw-dropping 2.7 million guineas, connections will be hoping this half-brother to Classic winner Galileo Gold can take another step forward.

First-season trainer James Horton saddles Encourgeable, who defeated a useful type on his second start at Wolverhampton and is another unexposed colt.

The field is completed by Oneforthegutter, who has also been absent since September, and the Andrew Balding-trained Harrow, who is yet to recapture his juvenile form in 2022.

Confirmed runners and riders for the Heron Stakes

Akhu Najla David Egan
EncourageableP J McDonald
HarrowDavid Probert
My ProsperoTom Marquand
OneforthegutterWilliam Buick
Reach For The MoonFrankie Dettori

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