Moon can eclipse his Heron rivals

ONE-TIME Derby hope Reach For The Moon is difficult to oppose on his belated return to action in the Coral Heron Stakes at Sandown.

The Sea The Stars colt looked like making up into a serious contender for the premier Classic after a hugely impressive display in the Solario Stakes at this venue last summer.

He suffered a surprise defeat in the Champagne Stakes at the hands of Bayside Boy, but given the winner went on to be placed in two Group Ones, there was no disgrace in that effort.

A subsequent injury led to Reach For The Moon missing the rest of his juvenile campaign, but hopes remained high that he could give the Queen a serious chance of winning the Derby in the year she celebrates her Platinum Jubilee.

But connections ultimately conceded defeat in their race against time to have him ready to run in a Derby trial and he instead reappears in this one-mile Listed contest.

John Gosden, who now trains in partnership with son Thady, has saddled the last three winners of this race in Without Parole, King Of Comedy and Mostahdaf, all of whom went on to run at Royal Ascot.