One trainer, one horse, one jockey and one race to watch on Friday

Trainer

The wraps are really starting to come off Charlie Appleby’s runners and he is likely to have a big say in what goes on at Sandown on Friday.

The Godolphin trainer rolls out his latest Classic contender when Yibir, successful in the Haynes, Hanson & Clark Conditions Stakes last year and 33-1 for the Cazoo Derby, lines up in the Group 3 bet365 Classic Trial. Given Appleby has already captured the Blue Riband Trial at Epsom and had the Craven one-two, Yibir must be considered a serious hope.

Appleby, who is operating at a 35 per cent strike-rate in the last fortnight, also runs Adayar in the Classic Trial, as well as Quintillus in the Esher Cup and Nash Nasha in the novice stakes.

Horse

Having already unleashed Mishriff and Lord North this season, the latest superstar older horse for John and Thady Gosden returns in the form of Palace Pier.

Blessed with a turn of foot not dissimilar to his sire Kingman, Palace Pier was twice a Group 1 winner last season but has been off since struggling with the soft ground at Ascot on Champions Day.

Palace Pier: returns in the bet365 MileCredit: Edward Whitaker

The bet365 Mile is being used as a sighter by connections for next month’s Group 1 Al Shaqab Lockinge Stake and Palace Pier is strongly fancied to get back to winning ways.

Jockey

Tom Queally, who partnered Frankel to all 14 of his brilliant wins, will likely be among the most keen observers as Chiasma, a sister to the champion and Group 1-winner Noble Mission, makes her debut at Sandown on Friday (4.10).

Queally, who has had 11 winners for a £1 level-stake profit of £23.83 this season, will be watching on from afar with his one ride on Friday being on Oceanline at Doncaster (2.50).

Queally rode his first winner for Oceanline’s trainer Alan King this season at Nottingham last week and the pair will no doubt be keen to strike again.

Race

Often used as a stepping stone for the major-middle distance prizes, the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes looks as good a renewal as ever this season.

Sir Michael Stoute has won the last three runnings and saddles Highest Ground, a horse with a tall reputation who could develop into a top-notch performer under the trainer’s careful guidance.

Throw into the mix the likes of last year’s Dante winner Thunderous and the exciting pair Waldkonig and Hukum and you have a race well worth making the time to see.

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