Investec Derby Trial
Conditions Race, Epsom 15:20 £50,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f 18y, Class 2
Wednesday 22nd April 2015

1 Christophermarlowe 4/6F
2 Future Empire 9/4
3 Sharp Sailor 20/1
5 ran Distances: 4l, 2l, 6l
TIME 2m 7.92s (slow by 2.62s)

Christophermarlowe makes an impressive comeback to land the Investec Derby Trial

Christophermarlowe
© Racehorse Photos

The 4/6 favourite who was having his third career start after two victories last year, won easily by four lengths from Godolphin's Future Empire who stayed on to take second inside the final furlong.

The unbeaten Tapit colt is entered in Britain's premier Classic and richest race, the £1.325 million Investec Derby and could be a participant if all goes well.

Gosden said: "I was delighted with Christophermarlowe because, once he balanced off in the straight, he did it well. He has a lovely long even stride and likes this good to firm ground.

"Frankie said Christophermarlowe really went strong and took him all the way down to the stables so a mile and a half will be his game. He handled the track well enough, he has been here before.

"I need to step him up in trip so we could look at trials at Chester, which is two weeks to the day and I am not convinced about that, and Lingfield or else bring him back here for a proper bit of work during Breakfast With The Stars (May 26).

"I see no reason why he should not run in the Investec Derby. He has only had three runs during his life and, as Lester (Piggott) said, he is a very good looking horse, out of a Galileo mare and by a top American stallion, Tapit. He has a lovely manner about him, is very honest and a good doer.

"I see him as a big boy with lots of improvement so there is no reason why he won't be back here on the first Saturday in June."

Dettori commented: "It was a good performance. It is natural for horses to go left here but he is a great galloper and very well balanced.

"He galloped out really strong which is always a good sign. I pulled him up at the dead-end, which does not happen too often.

"He has passed his first test with flying colours and now will be stepped up a bit more. He has the right ingredients for the Investec Derby - we know he handles the track and he stays so we are half-way there."

Investec Derby Trial (Conditions Race)
£50,000 added, 3yo only, 1m 2f 18y, Class 2
5 ran
Going: Good, Good to Firm in places