Gosden back on the Derby trail CHRISTOPHERMARLOWE BEATS GODOLPHIN’S FUTURE EMPIRE

By Racing & Special Features Writer

The artistically named Christophermarlowe delivered another strong performance when posting an eye- catching victory over Godolphin’s Future Empire in the Derby Trial at Epsom yesterday.

It may be all of 76 years since the 1,800- metre contest at the famous Downs has yielded an Epsom Classic winner, but British bookmakers were nonetheless impressed with what they saw and slashed the winner’s odds to 16/ 1 ( from 25/ 1), with 888sport going as low as 12/ 1 for the June 6 spectacular.

Named after a playwright and poet from the 16th century, the John Gosden- trained colt was posting his second success at the notoriously challenging track and now looks to have genuine claims of giving Gosden a first Derby victory since Benny The Dip in 1997.

Future Empire’s chances appeared to have been compromised early in the race when, after breaking smartly, he soon looked outpaced and as a result lost his forward position on the rails.

Settled behind the front three — Alan Baldwin’s pacemaker Dance Of Fire, Christophermarlowe and Marco Botti’s Sharp Sailor — he was asked for his effort approaching the final furlong and, though he did appear to find a new gear, he lacked the acceleration to trouble the Frankie Dettori- ridden winner.

Gosden, who last won this trial in 2009 with Debussy, who would go on to finish eighth behind Sea The Stars in the Derby, said of Christophermarlowe: “Frankie thought he really went strong and took him all the way down to the stables. A mile- and- a- half will be his game. He likes this type of ground.

“It was a nice performance and he handled the track well enough, having been here before. We’ll watch a few more trials and see where we go,” he told Racing UK.

“He could go to Chester for the Vase, but it’s two weeks to the day and I’m not convinced about that as he had a strong race today. Or he could come here for Breakfast With The Stars [ May 26]. They are the two options.”

Meanwhile, Godolphin’s Lucida figures among a strong entry for the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on May 3.

Trained by Irish great Jim Bolger, the Darley- bred daughter of Shamardal is among 25 remaining entries following the latest scratching stage.

The Coolcullen handler last won the fillies’ Classic with Finsceal Beo in 2007 and is committed to following the same route to success that he took with that filly.

Lucida emerged as a serious Guineas candidate after winning the Group 2 Shadwell Rockfel Stakes over seven furlongs at Newmarket in September — the same race that Finsceal Beo won.

“Lucida is very well and is on target for the 1,000 Guineas. I am very pleased with her,” the trainer told Sportinglife. com.

John Gosden Trainer

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