Gosden eyes fifth Cocked Hat with King Edward VII entry Main Street

3.45 Goodwood
British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes (Listed) | 1m3f, 3yo c+g | RUK

John Gosden aims to win what used to be the last of the domestic Derby trials for a fifth time with Main Street, who is having just his second outing on turf in the seven-runner contest.

These days the 1m3f event is used more as a warm up for the Group 2 King Edward VII Stakes with last year's winner Khalidi going onto be second at Royal Ascot.

Owned by Newsells Park Stud, Main Street will find the Goodwood cambers a new experience after back-to-back wins on the level Polytrack circuit at Chelmsford.

Frankie Dettori, who has won the Cocked Hat four times, will be getting the leg up for the first time on the son of Street Cry who was ridden by Martin Harley when defying a 6lb penalty at the Essex track this month.

Although the form of that 1m2f novice contest has since been let down with defeats to runner-up Temur Khan and third-placed Prabeni, not many overcome penalties in those sort of events and Main Street has impressed in his subsequent work.

Gosden said: "It's Main Street's first time on turf this year but the step up in trip should suit him and it's a nice race to be having him in. He's an improving sort and this race is a nice fit before Royal Ascot."

Extra furlong should suit Highbrow

The chief threat to Main Street looks to be Highbrow, trained by the in-form David Simcock, who has more recent experience of turf and was noted staying on well when third to Key Victory in a Listed contest over 1m2f at Newmarket on 2,000 Guineas day.

That form received a boost when runner-up Old Persian obliged in similar company back on the Rowley Mile last weekend and connections are hopeful that this extra furlong will play to the son of Intello's strengths.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Sheikh Juma Dalmook Al Maktoum, said: "Highbrow is potentially one of our nicer colts and it was no surprise to see him run a nice comeback at Newmarket. The way he finished there would suggest this extra furlong should suit him."

More to come from promising Bombyx

James Fanshawe's Bombyx made his reappearance in what is usually a strong 1m2f conditions contest at Newbury last month and will have come on for his second to Rastrelli that day.

This extra furlong will play to the strengths of the Sir Percy colt who is related to a string of 1m4f performers and is one of six in the line-up also engaged at Royal Ascot.

Fanshawe said: "Bombyx is a well balanced horse who won around Leicester last year so should handle the undulations. He ran a nice race back at Newbury and this step up in trip will suit him."

Andrew Balding: runs Perfect Illusion in this Listed raceCredit: Edward Whitaker

Andrew Balding is on a recovery mission with his two-time all-weather scorer Perfect Illusion who is down in class following his disappointing eighth in the Chester Vase.

Balding said: "He may have been a gallop short at Chester so should improve. He's capable of running into a place."

Roger Charlton is hoping for some rain to allow Aspetar to build on his promising debut win in a 1m2f maiden at Windsor last month.

Watch Aspetar's maiden win here

He said of the son of Al Kazeem: "Unless it rains he may not run. If he does line-up he would have a chance but it's difficult to know how the form will pan out."

Lynwood Gold, trained by Mark Johnston, and Mick Channon's Billy Ray complete the field.

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