Talking Horses: Cash can provide best value in Classic Trial

The strength of Sandown’s Classic Trial has varied wildly over the years but the 2021 renewal turned out to be, well, a classic, with Adayar, the subsequent Derby and King George winner, finishing half a length behind Alenquer while Yibir, the Breeders’ Cup Turf winner in November, was a neck away in third.

The race will be knocking on the door of Group Two status if the first four home this year turn out to be as good as the class of 21, and there is certainly a wealth of potential in the seven-runner field.

Charlie Appleby’s Goldspur is top on the ratings and the likely favourite having run third in a Group One at St Cloud in October but the potential improvers include River Thames, from the Aidan O’Brien stable, and David Simcock’s Cash (3.35).

Cash fell out of the stalls on his only start at two, in a one-mile maiden at Newmarket, but showed an excellent turn of foot to make up several lengths in the final two furlongs and win with something to spare. His pedigree suggests 10 furlongs could be a minimum this season and he looks like the pick of the prices at around 7-1.

Sandown Park 1.20 Auditor has as much potential for progress as anything in the field after a convincing four-length win at Windsor on his final start at two. The time of that race was strong and an opening mark of 89 could be lenient.

Sandown Park 1.50 A warm renewal of the Esher Cup, with Wanees perhaps the pick of the lightly raced three-year-olds. He made rapid progress over three races in a seven-week period at two, should improve for the step up to a mile and starts his handicapping career on a fair mark.

Perth 2.05 Platinumcard made short work of six rivals on his handicap debut at Ayr earlier this month and a repeat performance from a 7lb