Opportunity knocks for Haggas-trained colt at Goodwood

could secure his berth in the Betfred Derby with a positive showing in the Listed British Stallion Studs EBF Cocked Hat Stakes at on Saturday.

A 475,000 guineas son of Frankel out of dual Group One winner Izzi Top, the William Haggas-trained colt opened his account on his reappearance at Haydock and steps up in class for a race won by Troy in 1979 before his Derby success, when it was known as the Predominate Stakes.

“The plan is to go to and find out whether he wants to put his hand up for Epsom or not,” said Richard Brown of Wathnan Racing, who own the three-year-old and have Dante runner-up Damysus prominent in the ante-post Derby market.

“This is going to tell us everything we need to know. I think we have got a nice horse on our hands, whether he is a Derby horse who knows, he will tell us on Saturday.

“It will be fascinating to watch it. Ralph Beckett has a horse in there (Amiloc) that I rate very highly and this will tell us everything we need to know about where we are going to go next.

“He’s with the right man, William will know where to go.”

As well as the unbeaten Amiloc, Beckett also runs Sir Dinadan, fourth in the Sandown Classic Trial, with Paul and Oliver Cole’s Seaplane, fourth in the Futurity Trophy to Hotazhell, in action following a wind operation.

Gary and Josh Moore’s Too Soon was fourth in the Zetland Stakes, while John and Thady Gosden’s Tycoon looks another promising type.