Sandown review: John Gosden wins seventh Classic Trial

Seventh heaven for Gosden

John Gosden's enviable riches in the Classic department had another name added to the mix with Sevenna Star showing plenty of stamina to land the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown Park.

Appearing to need every inch of the mile-and-a-quarter trip, the Redoute's Choice colt stuck on in spirited fashion to give the Newmarket trainer his ninth success in the race.

Requiring plenty of encouragement from Frankie Dettori to get into top gear, the 15/8 favourite wore down eventual runner-up Ispolini close to the line before landing the Group Three contest by a short head.

Gosden said: "He is a big horse, as you can see, and he is still learning. He didn't really see anyone around Windsor last time. He did a nice piece of work around there. It was a good race. The second, third and fourth are good horses. It was a quality trial.

"You needed to see out the mile and a quarter in these conditions and Frankie said he was a little dreamy early on, learning about the game, and he was only getting the hang of it the last part. We could possibly have another trial, we will see, but why not. We will see how we want to play it. We will take it step by step and I'm delighted here. I don't think it was a weak race at all."

He added: "It (Dante) would be a possibility, absolutely."

As for Dettori, he believes the winner is still very much a work in progress as opposed to the finished article.

He said: "He is a big horse. It took a furlong and a half to get into top gear. Once I got upsides William (Buick, Ispolini) I knew my horse would do his very best at the end. It is the first time he has had a proper race. Last time he won at a canter. He is learning all the time and you will see his very best over a mile and a half."

It all adds up for Haggas improver

Addeybb can now expect to ply his trade in the big league after making a real impression on his first outing in Pattern-race company with a decisive success in the bet365 Mile at Sandown Park.

Last seen routing his rivals in the Lincoln Handicap at Doncaster, the William Haggas-trained four-year-old did the same to those facing him in this Group Two contest, turning it into a one-horse race.

Sent on with around a furlong to run, the 6/4 favourite quickly went through the gears before defeating Stormy Antarctic by two and three-quarter lengths.

Haggas' wife, Maureen, said: "He has done that nicely enough. He is just such a nice, straightforward horse. He has got a great temperament and tries his guts out and you can't ask for much more than that. He is a grand horse.

"He had been great since the Lincoln. I think he (owner) is talking about going for the Lockinge. He rang up and said 'Lockinge, Lockinge, Lockinge'. I think that is where he is aiming at.

"He handles this ground, but he is a good mover so I'm not sure he has to have it.

"If he comes out of this OK that (Lockinge) is the obvious place to go next."

Ed Walker could send Stormy Antarctic to Europe before venturing further afield to North America later in the season.

He said: "I'm delighted with him. He has just run into a very progressive horse.

"He was a bit fresh and gassy early on, which is never very helpful, and there was not much room when he got rocking and rolling, but on the day he was beaten by a better horse.

"We will just go pot hunting around Eur+ope as there are plenty of good options to pick up plenty of money. We might try a Grade One in North America later in the year."

It's a kinda Magic

Merlin Magic is in line for a crack at the Dante Stakes at York next month after a winning return to action in the bet365 Esher Cup (click on race names for free video replays) at Sandown.

Having finished ninth to Saxon Warrior in the Racing Post Trophy on his final start last season, the David Elsworth-trained son of Camelot put some useful rivals to the sword when clearing away to land the mile prize by three lengths.

Winning owner Jeff Smith said of the 4/1 chance: "I was extremely pleased. I had a long chat with David Elsworth this morning and I had about six analogies all telling me he had not come to himself yet.

"We had to get going with him and we only took him out the Guineas as he had not yet come to himself.

"He will almost certainly run in the Dante if he is fit and well. It's a very exciting time, as you don't win that sort of race that comfortably usually."

Ocean clings on to win

Sir Michael Stoute can begin to map out bigger and better plans for Crystal Ocean after he registered a battling success in the be365 Gordon Richards Stakes.

Dual Group One winner Ulysses was successful for the yard 12 months ago and the Newmarket handler saw the Group Three prize head his way once more thanks to the son of Sea The Stars.

Sitting close to the early pace, which was set by First Sitting, last year's St Leger runner-up moved on with the Queen's Fabricate approaching the two-furlong pole.

Although briefly headed, the even-money favourite dug deep under Ryan Moore to get up close to the line and prevail by a short head.

Assistant trainer James Horton said: "Ryan was very pleased with him. This will sharpen him up a lot for some big targets later on in the year. It is nice knowing he is as effective over 10 as well 12 furlongs. It gives us a few more options.

"I think he had a good heave at the furlong pole. He is all guts and heart this horse. That has probably got him through it rather than fitness.

"He won very impressively at Goodwood on horrible ground, but I think he is better on better ground. I think the key to him is that he is such a brave horse."

A return to the Esher track appears to be on the cards for runner-up Fabricate, according to his trainer Michael Bell.

The Newmarket handler said: "That was a fantastic run in defeat. He just got outstayed in the last 100 yards. My first inclination is to come back for the Brigadier Gerard."

Crystal clear for Stoute filly

There was more joy for Stoute as the Crystal Hope landed the Nordoff Robbins David Enthoven Memorial Fillies' Novice Stakes by three lengths.

Odds-on favourite High Garden could muster only third under Frankie Dettori as the Rothschild-owned winner streaked to an impressive victory on her first start of the campaign, drawing away from the penalised runner-up, Give And Take.

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