Sandown's Classic Trial set to provide key insight into the Derby picture

The 2022 Flat season is picking up pace and it is full steam ahead to the first of the Classics – the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket – on April 30 and May 1.

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Our Classic Clues series, which runs every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of the action on Thursday and how it has impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note on Friday and Saturday.

Racing round-up: Royal Ascot rather than Classics on the agenda

Royal Ascot, rather than Classic targets, dominated Thursday's Flat racing with Daryll Holland stating that Royal Ascot was "the obvious target" for Primrose Ridge after his Brocklesby runner-up got off the mark at Beverley.

Another two-year-old attracted the attention of bookmakers for Royal Ascot as Battaash's brother The Antarctic was trimmed to 8-1 from 14-1 by Paddy Power for the Coventry Stakes after justifying favouritism when making a winning debut at Tipperary for Aidan O'Brien and Ryan Moore. However, Dalmation Coast disappointed for the duo later on the card as the Irish Derby entrant could manage only sixth in the 1m4½f maiden.

Raadobarg, on the other hand, continued his perfect start for new connections at Tipperary when he made it 2-2 for Johnny Murtagh, boosting his chances for next month's Amethyst Stakes.

All eyes on ... the Classic Trial at Sandown

With Groundbreaker now a non-runner, all of the horses running in the bet365 Classic Trial (3.35) at Sandown have Derby entries and with Goldspur the shortest-priced for the Epsom highlight of the six-runner field in Friday's Group 3 at 18-1, it will be interesting to see if any can propel themselves to the forefront of the market with a strong showing in Esher.

Goldspur, who won at the course on his debut, could further strengthen the hand of last year's Derby-winning connections Charlie Appleby and Godolphin on his seasonal reappearance, having finished third in a French Group 1 on his final start as a two-year-old.

Epsom hero Adayar finished second in this race last year, so should Goldspur get beaten it would not necessarily detract from his Derby chances. It could be another Godolphin-owned horse who beats him in the form of the the John and Thady Gosden-trained Franz Strauss.

The Gosden team also have Frantastic and with the unbeaten Cash, course winner Westover and Ballydoyle's River Thames, this contest could provide the biggest Classic clue so far.

Godolphin and the Gosdens also have Derby interests over the weekend with the final declarations on Thursday revealing three Derby hopes would appear in the 1m2f novice (3.51) at Leicester on Saturday. Magisterial for the Gosdens and the William Haggas-trained Soulcombe already have racecourse experience, while Godolphin are set to unleash another newcomer - Ruling Dynasty.

How the markets look

Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, April 30)

bet365: 5-4 Native Trail, 7-2 Coroebus, 9-2 Luxembourg, 11 Perfect Power, 12 Point Lonsdale, 14 Dubawi Legend, 20 Checkandchallenge, 25 bar

Qipco 1,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, May 1)

Sky Bet: 5-2 Inspiral, 4 Tenebrism, 9 Discoveries, 10 Homeless Songs, Tuesday, 12 Zellie, 14 Malavath, Cachet, 16 Rosacea, Mise En Scene, Sandrine, Wild Beauty, 20 bar

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)

Paddy Power: 4 Tuesday, 5 Inspiral, 8 Life Of Dreams, 9 Agave, 12 Concert Hall, 16 Above The Curve, 20 Toy, Eclat Du Lumiere, Magical Lagoon, Over The Rainbow, History, 25 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom. June 4)

William Hill: 5-2 Luxembourg, 10 New London, Reach For The Moon, Point Lonsdale, 12 Native Trail, 14 Walk Of Stars, Antarah, 16 Coroebus, 20 bar

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