Did we see the Oaks winner at Sandown and can Leicester shed light on the Derby?

The 2022 Flat season is picking up pace and it is full steam ahead to the first of the Classics – the Qipco 2,000 Guineas and 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket – on April 30 and May 1 respectively.

Market movers come thick and fast as the key Classic trials are run in Britain and Ireland, but big-race contenders can come from anywhere and it's easy to miss a potential dark horse. Our Classic Clues series, which runs every morning, has you covered.

Here's a recap of the action on Friday and how it has impacted the Classic betting, while we mark your card with key names to note on Saturday.

Racing round-up: Westover strikes at Sandown plus big Oaks pointer

All eyes were on the bet365 Classic Trial at Sandown on Friday where William Buick and Charlie Appleby teamed up with Derby entrant Goldspur, who went off 6-5 favourite but could only finish a length back in third.

This doesn’t by any means rule out the Goldolphin runner for the Epsom Classic, given Adayar finished second in this trial behind Alenquer before going on to land the Derby.

The winner was the Ralph Beckett-trained Westover, who was shaken up with two furlongs to run and hung quite markedly left in the closing stages but managed to reel in the long-time leader, with Cash given a classic Jamie Spencer hold-up ride, finishing fast for second.

Westover may be better suited by the left-handed nature of the Epsom track and he may prove a strong contender for the Classic, and given the way the David Simcock-trained runner-up stayed on he potentially could take his chance too.

Westover: staked his Derby claims at SandownCredit: Alan Crowhurst (Getty Images)

Although the Derby entrants drew the initial attention, Sandown's fillies’ novice may have provided the winner of the Oaks.

Emily Upjohn won on her racecourse debut last year and had not been seen since but ran out an impressive winner over 1m2f, putting nine and a half lengths between her and her nearest rival. She was immediately cut to third favourite for Classic glory in June.

Market Movers

Cazoo Derby
Cash 20-1 (from 50-1)
Westover 25-1 (from 50-1)

Cazoo Oaks
Emily Upjohn 7-1 (from 25-1)

What they said

Rob Hornby, jockey on Westover
I really like this horse. He's run here twice and won both times. He's a beast, a serious unit, and we always thought he'd be better at three. He was still quite keen early on and it was just a matter of settling him, but he really picked up when he saw space.

David Simcock, trainer of Cash
It’s hard to know what they are at home. He won a Newmarket maiden that hasn't worked out terribly well, but he ran well so I couldn't be happier. He showed a good turn of foot.

Emily Upjohn: impressed her rider Frankie DettoriCredit: Edward Whitaker

Frankie Dettori, jockey on Emily Upjohn
I rode her the other day and thought, 'Wow!'. Not many horses take my breath away, but you like to see them do it in the afternoon. We thought if she's an Oaks filly she should be able to win with a penalty, but I didn't expect her to win so impressively.

All eyes on… Leicester, Haydock and Limerick!

Leicester hosts an interesting novice stakes (3.51) which features two newcomers for Sir Michael Stoute, who has taken two of the three renewals of this race, alongside three runners with Derby entries.

The only newcomer that holds an entry for the Epsom Classic is Ruling Dynasty, for the in-form pair of Charlie Appleby and William Buick.

He looks set to be joined at the top of the market by Magisterial for the Gosdens, who won on his second start after a promising Newmarket debut, and being owned and bred by Bjorn Nielson, he’s likely to develop into a top performer.

Saturday cards

Elsewhere, Haydock plays host to a fillies’ novice stakes (2.40) which features another from the Gosden stable, Nashwa, who is the only Oaks entrant in the field.

Limerick hosts a fillies' maiden (2.15), which features Oaks entrant Flash Bulb for Joseph O’Brien. This daughter of Camelot cost £130,000 and is bidding to post an improved showing after finishing fifth on debut.

How the markets look

Qipco 2,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, April 30)

bet365: 11-10 Native Trail, 7-2 Coroebus, 9-2 Luxembourg, 12 Perfect Power, Point Lonsdale, 14 Dubawi Legend, 25 Checkandchallenge, 33 bar

Qipco 1,000 Guineas (3.40 Newmarket, May 1)

Sky Bet: 5-2 Inspiral, 4 Tenebrism, 9 Discoveries, 10 Homeless Songs, Tuesday, 12 Zellie, Malavath, 14 Cachet, 16 Rosacea, Mise En Scene, Sandrine, Wild Beauty, 20 bar

Cazoo Oaks (4.30 Epsom, June 3)

Paddy Power: 4 Tuesday, 5 Inspiral, 7 Emily Upjohn, 8 Life Of Dreams, 9 Agave, 12 Concert Hall, 16 Above The Curve, 20 bar

Cazoo Derby (4.30 Epsom. June 4)

William Hill: 5-2 Luxembourg, 8 Reach For The Moon, 10 New London, Point Lonsdale, 12 Native Trail, 14 Walk Of Stars, Antarah, 16 Coroebus, 20 bar

Read our Saturday previews . . .

1.50 Sandown: 'He's going the right way' - key quotes and analysis for novices' hurdle final

2.05 Haydock: Can progressive Alrehb complete a hat-trick on his first start on turf?

2.25 Sandown: Does classy novice Erne River have what it takes to down his older rivals?

3.00 Sandown: 'It's very important' - Skelton hoping for Grade 1 breakthrough with Nube Negra

3.32 Sandown: 'I can't split them' - Christian Williams on his exciting bet365 Gold Cup trio

Bet365 Gold Cup analysis: 'Go go go - she might just put the pedal to the metal when the lights are out' (£)

4.46 Navan: Dual Irish St Leger star Search For A Song makes comeback in Vintage Crop

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