Go with the flow and Appleby’s Bow Creek at Sandown

Jockey Davy Condon has been forced to retire after an injury suffered in the Grand National

When Bow Creek finished tailed off last on his handicap debut in September 2013, he seemed destined to a career slogging around the gaff tracks. Roll on almost exactly one year and he was winning his second Group Two and now starts the new campaign with even loftier aspirations.

On paper, there is not much between the runners in Friday’s Sandown Mile, but Bow Creek (2.30 Sandown), fitted with cheekpieces for the first time by in-form trainer Charlie Appleby to help his concentration, has probably not stopped improving yet.

Snoano, trying to win John Gosden a fourth Sandown Classic Trial in eight years, has not looked anything out of the ordinary so far and while he has the scope to do much better, the same can be said for his three rivals.

As Aidan O’Brien’s representative, recent Newmarket sales race winner Cape Clear Island has to be respected, but this looks a fine opportunity for Commemorative (3.00), the winner of a Group Three at Newmarket last autumn before running creditably at the Breeders’ Cup, to stake his Classic claim.

Postponed did not get the best of runs when third behind Cannock Chase (2.00) at Royal Ascot last summer, but was beaten fair and square and I expect Sir Michael Stoute’s progressive four-year-old again to have too much speed for that rival, while his jockey Ryan Moore may already be off the mark for the day with another improver, Yeenaan (1.30), a standout.

Found, hot favourite for the 1,000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday week, is a doubtful runner. She has been held up in her work following a temperature and faces a make-or-break gallop on Saturday.

Jockey Davy Condon, 30, has been forced to retire after the spinal injury he sustained from a fall in the Grand National proved to be more serious than first thought.