Red-hot Charlie Appleby takes aim at another Classic trial with Nahanni

Cazoo Blue Riband Trial (Listed) | 3yo | 1m2f | RTV

Charlie Appleby campaigns his horses sparingly at Epsom but when he does it has paid handsome dividends for punters going in blind. Backing all 23 of his representatives to a £1 stake over the last five years would have yielded a profit of £40.67.

To put that figure into perspective, Newbury is the only other British course in which Appleby’s level-stakes profit to £1 wagers has exceeded £5 in that timeframe. That certainly speaks positively for the chances of his Blue Riband Trial representative Nahanni.

With the exception of 2017 winner Cracksman, this race has fallen short of producing Group 1 talent.

However, it is early days and Nahanni rates the likeliest to develop into a top-class colt. He galloped his rivals into submission to score by nine lengths at Leicester 18 days ago and having race fitness on his side is an advantage. If he can deal with the drop to 1m2f and unique configuration of Epsom, he will enter the Classic picture.

United Nations is the only runner who can better Nahanni’s last-time-out Racing Post Rating of 96 with his seventh to Coroebus in the Autumn Stakes.

Aidan O’Brien prefers to bypass the Blue Riband Trial with his top Classic prospects but that didn’t stop Cape Of Good Hope, who was well down the pecking order at Ballydoyle, from landing this in 2019.

United Nations, a son of Galileo, failed to produce his best at Newmarket but that was a stiff task on just his second run. He can only improve.
Race analysis by Robbie Wilders

Ulysses out to build on mighty Gosden record

With only United Nations having been tried at Pattern level this race is mostly stocked with maiden and novice winners, so plenty will be putting their faith in John and Thady Gosden's proven ability to identify the right horse for the job.

The Clarehaven team's record six wins in the race include all four wins between 2015 and 2018 and all ridden by Frankie Dettori.

Mighty Ulysses will be out to extend the Gosden team's fine record in the Cazoo Blue Riband Trial at EpsomCredit: Alan Crowhurst

Mighty Ulysses is this year's nominated candidate and, while the form of his maiden win over a mile at Yarmouth has not held up particularly well, he went right away from his rivals inside the final furlong.

"He won well first time out," said Thady Gosden. "He's a horse we've always liked and hope will shape into a nice staying type so the Derby Trial is a good place to start him out this year.

"He's done well over the winter and he's always shown up well at home. He shouldn't find the track too much of a problem."

What they say

Charlie Fellowes, trainer of Grand Alliance
He did a lot wrong at Doncaster last time but still won a decent handicap pretty impressively. We need to see how he fares in this company to tell us where to go with him but he's going the right way. I don't think he'll have any problems with the track, he's a neat and well-balanced horse and goes there in great form.

Charlie Hills, trainer of Inverness
I think he's a horse that's going to stay very well this year and this looks a good starting point to see where we are. It was nice to see some of his form work out at Newmarket last week. He seemed to handle Goodwood's undulations and he's quite a laid back horse.

Inverness (pale silks): came from off the pace to run down his rivals at Goodwood last SeptemberCredit: Edward Whitaker

Eve Johnson Houghton, trainer of Sheer Rocks
He's done well over the winter. He never shows very much at home so it's hard to get a gauge with him. He went left-handed at Bath and up and down at Chepstow so I think Epsom should be ok for him.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of United Nations
It wasn't long after his maiden win that he went to Newmarket for the Autumn Stakes and was very green. Seamus Heffernan said after he won first time out that it was usually a good sign when a Galileo could win over seven furlongs. He has the makings of a good middle-distance colt.

Tom Clover, trainer of Zain Sarinda
He's an exciting horse for a yard like ours. His work at home has always made me think he'd be more of a turf horse. He's well-balanced so hopefully the track won't be an issue and this should tell us a huge amount. If he wins then fantastic and if he's placed, then he's probably a stakes-level horse. If he's not quite up to it there will be some good handicaps to look at off his mark. I hope he can run a big race.

Reporting by Scott Burton

Over 50% off Racing Post Members' Club! Get set for the Flat with our unmissable Stable Tour series. Members' Club is the only subscription racing fans and punters need in order to stay informed and make smarter betting decisions. Features include early access to the Racing Post digital newspaper, exclusive news and interviews, premium tips and form study tools to assist with betting. Select 'Get Ultimate monthly' and enter code TRYME to get your first month for just £14.99* – that's better than half price! Subscribe now If you decide that Members' Club is not for you, then you can cancel at anytime by contacting us. *Members' Club Ultimate monthly first month will be charged at £14.99, renews at full price thereafter