JOHN Gosden has a genuine Derby contender in Christophermarlowe, who forged clear for Frankie Dettori to win Wednesday’s 10-furlong Investec Derby Trial by four lengths from Future Empire.

The Tapit colt, owned by Michael Tabor and Gosden’s wife Rachel Hood, had won here as a juvenile and was sent off at 4/6. He may not have beaten a great deal but clearly handles the course and returned a very respectable time after leading three furlongs from home.

“A mile and a half will be his game and we’ll look at the Chester Vase,” the trainer said. “We’ll watch a few more trials and see how we go.”

Several bookmakers were impressed enough to quote Christopermarlowe at 12/1 for the Blue Riband.

Andrew Balding trains leading Derby contender Elm Park and the Kingsclere man saddled Collaboration to run away with the City And Suburban Stakes, making 4/1 look more than generous.

Winning rider David Probert had already won the sprint handicap just as easily on James Unett’s 7/1 chance Monumental Man, who will no doubt be aimed at the Dash on Derby day.

Elliot on the mark at Perth

PERTH would not be the same without Gordon Elliott and the Co Meath trainer made his mark as soon as the festival opened on Wednesday.

Antilope Du Seuil, 4/1, taking advantage of the mares’ allowance, came from off the pace for Daryl Jacob to beat 3/1 favourite Dancing Shadow by four lengths in the Aberdeen Asset Management PLC Maiden Hurdle.

The grandly titled “Future Champion” Novices’ Hurdle was fought out by 11/10 joint-favourites Onenightinvienna and Caracci Apache, with the former prevailing by a length.

The winner, trained by Philip Hobbs, was given a typically astute ride by Tom O’Brien, who has a failed breath test hanging over him. O’Brien is simply getting on with the job and just held Nico de Boinville here, costing the Henderson man a vital winner in his chase for the conditional jockeys’ title.

It has been a great season for Brian Hughes, who surged past the 100-winner mark recently and added another on Malcolm Jefferson’s Sun Cloud in the three-mile handicap chase.

Gillian Callaghan’s Royal Boru is probably the first to have contested a recent point-to-point at Ballyragget on his way to Perth.

In Thursday’s Mark Black Memorial Handicap Hurdle, with the all-important hood applied for the first time, he came home an easy four-length winner from Bertie Moon.

Keith Donoghue, good value for the 3lb allowance, kicked on three flights from home on the 8/1 chance and nothing landed a blow.

The winner was unlucky as he fell at the last when set for a double yesterday.

As on the first day Gordon Elliott struck in the opener, a novices’ hurdle sponsored by Crabbie’s, but if there were big backers of Skilled at 2/9 they were worried until Dickie Johnson finally forced the four-year-old home a neck in front of Abyaat after a serious error four out.

Donald McCain has been quiet by his standards this term but the horses are very well at present. The booking of Wayne Hutchinson for Witness In Court also looked significant and those who took the hint were paid out at 9/1in the day’s feature, the Old Mout Cider Handicap Chase.

Richard Johnson took the riding honours on Friday with a treble, while Nigel Twiston Davies trained the last three winners.

Gannon back in the groove

Cathy Gannon, 18 months out of action through injury, rode a 33/1 winner at Kempton on Tuesday, her first since returning to competitive action last month.

Fittingly it was on Sarangoo for Somerset trainer Malcolm Saunders, who has long regarded her as the best female jockey in Britain. Gannon gave birth to son Aaron during her enforced spell on the sidelines.

Irish training success

Irish trainers were also among the winners at Hexham on Monday where Captain Hox’s victory in a novice hurdle gave Paddy and James Griffin another winner cross channel. The Peter Croke-trained Definite Soldier followed up in the maiden hurdle. Both were partnered by in-form rider Brian Hughes.

Trainer’s son James Griffin said afterwards: “Paul Stafford, who has the runner-up, trains about 500 yards down past us and we use his gallop. He drove the lorry over, he has two runners, and we brought Peter Croke’s horse over as well. It only costs about €150 per horse to get here and we have a brilliant exchange rate at the moment so it works out well.”

On Tuesday, Taexli gave Pat Shanahan a British winner when justifying short odds at Brighton under Shane Foley. Shanahan was out of luck with his five runners at Epsom although Hold The Line picked up decent prizemoney when he took second in the City And Suburban.