EPSOM

JOHN Gosden cannot go wrong in the Investec Blue Riband Trial and Khalid Abdullah’s homebred Crossed Baton, 11/4, gave the stable its sixth winner of the race at Epsom on Wednesday.

Frankie Dettori probably wanted to sit in behind but with no pace on he was obliged to make the running. Always going well, the son of Dansili looked like stretching clear approaching the furlong pole but tired on the climb to the line and had only a head to spare over William Haggas’ My Lord And Master, his closest attendant on the outside for most of the way. Dee Ex Bee, surprisingly made favourite, kept on well in third.

This did not look like strong Derby form, although trainer and jockey joked afterwards that Crossed Baton actually had a shade more to spare than Cracksman, subsequently third in the Blue Riband last year.

“Cracksman wasn’t as strong at this stage,” Gosden said. “I don’t think the extra two furlongs will be a problem on pedigree but what we really need is a hot summer because Crossed Baton’s best ground would be good to firm. He’s a big boy but not with the biggest feet and he flows over faster ground.”

The bookmakers made little adjustment to Crossed Baton’s Derby odds, Paddy Power cutting him from 33/1 to 25/1, a move in line with Dettori’s overall opinion.

“He has got to step up a gear but hopefully this race will help him grow up. As it stands it was not a Derby winning performance,” he said.

Gosden soon completed a double when the late-developing Royal Line, ridden by James Doyle, quickened up to land the Investec Corporate Banking Great Metropolitan Handicap by nearly three lengths from Golden Wolf.

The winner, who carries Sheikh Mohammed’s original maroon and white colours, will surely be raised in grade after this.

Another impressive winner was Roger Varian’s Ajman King, who justified 9/4 favouritism in the famous old City And Suburban Handicap. He, too, may well be stepping up soon.