Sandown preview: Salt Bay seeks to enhance Derby claims

Ralph Beckett hopes Salt Bay can advance his Betfred Derby claims and follow in the hoof prints of Group One winning stablemate Westover by making a successful return to action in the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown Park on Friday (28th April).

After saddling subsequent Derby third and Irish Derby winner Westover to glory in the race 12 months ago the Kimpton Down handler will attempt to repeat the feat with the twice raced son of Farhh, who will face four rivals in the Group Three.

While Salt Bay lacks the experience that Westover possessed at this stage of his career, Beckett is optimistic the Valmont-owned colt has progressed enough over the winter to feature prominently in the 10-furlong contest on his comeback.

Beckett said: “Salt Bay has trained well this spring and Sandown will suit him. I’m looking forward to running him.

“I don’t think the trip will be an issue as he will probably get a mile and a half. It is a race we have thought about for a while for him.

“He is a generous worker and he is a very straightforward customer.

“I think he is a horse that will probably improve physically as he gets older as he is that type but let’s hope he has improved enough over the winter to get competitive on Friday.

“The ground should suit him as most horses by Farhh like a bit of juice.

“Westover was much more experienced at this stage last year as he had three starts whereas this fellow wouldn’t know quite as much, so the comparisons are unfair at this stage.”

After making a winning debut at Haydock Park in September Salt Bay was pitched straight into Group One company on his next start in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud, France, the following month.

And although Salt Bay, who is 33-1 chance for the Epsom Downs Classic on June 3rd with race sponsor Betfred, had to settle for third on that occasion Beckett felt the result vindicated his decision to pitch him in at the top level so early on in his career.

Beckett said: “I think the way he won at Haydock we thought it was a shot worth taking in France and it nearly came off.

“It was odd race in France as the first two were the first two throughout and he tracked them.

“They all went around in formation and they sort of finished like that. I thought it was a good effort.

Joining Salt Bay on Friday will be his dual Group One winning stablemate Angel Bleu, who will be re-united with Frankie Dettori for the first time this season when featuring in a field of seven that will contest the Group Two bet365 Mile.

Having finished second in a Listed event at Wolverhampton on his return the Dark Angel colt only beat one home in the Group Three Prix Edmond Blanc at Saint-Cloud last time out on April 1st. However, Beckett believes a line can be put through that effort.

He said: “The race in France just didn’t open up for him when he needed it to. They went steady and it never really worked for him.

“Often, their second run after a break they often fraught with danger, but I was really delighted with his seasonal debut at Wolverhampton. I think the ground will be on his side at Sandown so I’m hopeful.

“Frankie is back on board so that is nice to. Hopefully he will show up and he is working like he should but it will be a warm heat.”

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2 Brave Nation (IRE) 3 9 8 Mr Brian Goodyear Michael Bell Hector Crouch

3 Rocking Ends 3 8 12 Mr Colin Westley Brett Johnson William Carson

4 Safari Dream (IRE) 3 8 9 Great Western Racing II Rod Millman Oisin Murphy

5 Huberts Dream (IRE) ts 3 8 8 Opulence Thoroughbreds Stuart Williams Andrea Atzeni

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4 Metal Merchant (IRE) 3 8 13 Recycled Products Limited & Partner Jack Channon Tom Marquand

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1 Anmaat (IRE) 5 9 7 Shadwell Estate Company Ltd Owen Burrows Jim Crowley

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3 Highland Avenue (IRE) 5 9 2 Godolphin Charlie Appleby James Doyle

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2 Angel Bleu (FR) 4 9 3 Mr Marc Chan Ralph Beckett Frankie Dettori

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5 Salt Bay (GER) 3 9 3 Valmont Ralph Beckett Rossa Ryan

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