Fierce out to Impact on Derby picture

Fierce Impact will line up as the only unbeaten horse in the Gr. 3 Classic Trial at Sandown on Friday, a race contested by the susequent Derby winner Benny The Dip in 1997 and won by the likes of Imperial Monarch, Western Hymn and Midterm in recent years.

As his name suggests, Fierce Impact (pictured) is a son of Deep Impact, out of a Japanese Grade 3 winner, and he made a taking winning debut in a mile maiden at Yarmouth last October.

That form was given a significant boost recently when the third Tamleek bolted up in a similar race at Newmarket on his reappearance. Tamleek is reportedly heading to the Lingfield Derby Trial next, which bodes well for Fierce Impact's claims at Sandown.

Fierce Impact is trained by David Simcock, who saddled Algometer to finish second in the Sandown Classic Trial last year before winning listed and Gr. 3 races either side of running in the Derby.

Three of the four horses taking on Fierce Impact on Friday are sons of Frankel, including recent impressive all-weather handicap winner Monarchs Glen who'd had the benefit of a run when beating Qatar Racing's Count Octave into third in a Goodwood maiden last October. Only Fierce Impact and Intern hold Derby entries among the quintet.

Another offspring of Deep Impact represents Qatar Racing Limited on Friday as the Ralph Beckett-trained 3-year-old Love Conquers makes her debut later on the Sandown card. It looks a warm race and hopefully she will acquit herself well.