'He has done well over the winter in every sense' - trainer quotes and analysis for the Classic Trial

Sandown’s Classic Trial is not renowned for producing Derby winners. It did, however, shed light on an outstanding three-year-old colt a few seasons ago.

Westover, trained by Ralph Beckett and owned by Juddmonte, endured a troubled passage when third to Desert Crown in the big one at Epsom before proving himself an exceptional talent with a seven-length strike at the Curragh in the Irish equivalent. 

This season, Beckett representation comes from I Am I Said and Sir Dinadan, while Andrew Balding’s runner Windlord will fly the Juddmonte flag. 

Windlord is the most battle-hardened in the line-up. He got off the mark on his third start as a juvenile when clocking a fast time at York, before mixing it with Hotazhell and Tennessee Stud in the Beresford Stakes.

That pair won at the highest level next time, so Windlord’s position as early favourite is difficult to dispute.

Windlord: impressive winner at YorkCredit: john grossick

There is still an open look to this trial, however. Even clear outsider Sir Dinadan won a novice by an eased-down eight lengths on his final start at two. 

Swagman, whose form also ties in with Hotazhell, is presumed to be a little way down the hierarchy at Ballydoyle given he lacks a Derby engagement. An entry in next month’s Irish 2,000 Guineas suggests connections were in two minds regarding his trip preference.  

John and Thady Gosden picked up both Guineas trials at Newmarket last week, and the once-raced winner Damysus rates another intriguing prospect for the yard. This 1m2f trip promises to suit the son of Frankel better than when he won over 7f at Southwell in December.

His debut success arguably lacked the conviction of I Am I Said’s Newmarket win, though. I Am I Said belied big odds to bolt up in a soft-ground novice with a strong recent history and is bred to deal with this faster surface.
Analysis by Robbie Wilders

Sir Dinadan the outsider but Beckett remains hopeful

Windlord may bring the best juvenile form to the start line, but with lightly raced sorts bred to be better with time, and over further, that can often count for very little.

What can matter more is just how wound up a runner is at this time of year and, on that front, it could be good news for Andrew Balding's market leader. Swagman and I Am I Said are joint second favourites and come from yards who expect them to improve for the run.

Aidan O'Brien, trainer of Swagman, said: "He's just ready to start off and will improve. He's in good form and we'll see where he fits in with everything else after this."

Ralph Beckett, whose last four Classic Trial runners have finished 2152, trains outsider Sir Dinadan as well as I Am I Said. He said: "They'll both need it, but they'll appreciate the track and ground. I Am I Said is in good form and is showing up well, so we'll see whether he's up to it. He's not big, but he's handy and well balanced and has done well over the winter in every sense.

Ralph Beckett: "I Am I Said is in good form and is showing up well"Credit: Edward Whitaker

"Sir Dinadan is big and strong and won over a mile and a quarter at Pontefract, so he's going to stay well. He's trained well and I'm pretty hopeful for the year. Whether he's a ten-furlong horse remains to be seen."

Thady Gosden, joint-trainer of Damysus, said: "He won well on his debut over seven furlongs at Southwell in December. He's been in good order in his spring training on the Limekilns and elsewhere and is bred to improve for this trip."
Reporting by Stuart Riley

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