Stanhope Gardens could book his Derby ticket on Saturday

Stanhope Gardens will put his Betfred Derby credentials on the line at Salisbury on Saturday.

The Ghaiyyath colt won one of his three races at two and was only beaten a neck by one of the Derby favourites, Delacroix, in the Autumn Stakes at Newmarket in October, having been third to 2000 Guineas hero and also Epsom-bound Ruling Court first time out.

He also holds an entry in a seven-furlong handicap at Goodwood, but connections have decided the Old Sarum Conditions Stakes at Salisbury over a mile is more suitable for the Ralph Beckett-trained inmate.

“The plan is to go to Salisbury on Saturday, that is the preferred route to Epsom,” said Emma Spencer, racing manager for Chelsea Thoroughbreds who own the colt in partnership with Marc Chan.

“It’s really exciting to be involved with him, we just thought this was a more suitable race than a seven-furlong handicap. There just weren’t too many options.

“Ralph is very level headed, he keeps things very real. He has only ever been positive about him, so let’s see.

“Hopefully the Derby is still the plan, obviously he has to get through Saturday first and then we’ll know more. At least he’s not giving a lot of weight away over seven.

“He was Ghaiyyath’s first two-year-old winner last year, I think, and they are nearly all going to get better with time. He’s a very interesting sire.”