Dubai The search for big-race contenders continues at Sandown Park in the UK this weekend with the latest renewal of the Group 3 bet365 Classic Trial, a race that served up a winner of the Epsom Derby (G1) 18 years ago.

The 2,000 metre contest is considered a useful springboard to Classic success, although the last time a horse reinforced its value was in 1997 when Benny The Dip won the English blue riband after finishing runner-up to Voyagers Quest in the race.

A small field of five three-year-olds face the starter today (Friday), with Dubai-owned Snoano, hoping to continue trainer John Gosden’s impressive record in the contest.

The veteran handler, whose lone Derby triumph came courtesy Benny The Dip, has sent out the winners of the race on four occasions, including Centennial (2008),

Santillana (1998), Pollen Count (1992) and True Hero (1993).

Snoano is owned by Shaikh Hamdan Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Deputy Ruler of Dubai and Minister of Finance, who won four events at Newbury’s Spring Trials meeting last Saturday.

The son of Nayef makes his first appearance since finishing fifth behind Andrew Balding’s Elm Park in the Group 1 Racing Post Trophy at Doncaster last October.

Prior to that he posted back-to-back successes which included a Conditions race victory at Newbury in September.

“This is a grand little horse with a wonderful temperament and we’ll put him away until next year now for something like the Sandown Classic Trial,” Gosden said after the horse’s victory.

Paul Hanagan added: “I was quite impressed, he’s got a great temperament. I never like having no cover but he was lovely and relaxed. He gallops rather than quickens, I wouldn’t want to play jockeys on him but he got the job done. I thought he showed a good attitude, he was just having a look at the end and when he got a bit of company he went again.”

Snoano’s main dangers appears to be the Charlie Hills trainer Commemorative, the 4/5 ante-post favourite and unbeaten French raider Grey Lion (7/4), who represents the powerful Andre Fabre Stables.

Another horse to feat is Cape Clease Island, who beat Godolphin’s Greatest Journey by a neck in the Tattersalls Millions 3-Y-O Trophy nine days ago.

The Sandown Classic Trial is staged during a two-day meeting which features both flat and jump races. Other events at the meeting include the Bet365 Gold Cup, the Celebration Chase, the Gordon Richards Stakes and the Sandown Mile.