Fellowes and Vadream on a ‘shot to nothing’ on Finals Day

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Charlie Fellowes is happy to roll the dice with Vadream and allow her to bid for a second big-race victory in less than a week in the BetUK All-Weather Sprint at Newcastle on Good Friday.

An impressive winner of last weekend’s Cammidge Trophy at Doncaster on heavy ground, the five-year-old turns out just six days later for the All-Weather Championships Finals at Gosforth Park.

Fellowes admits only time will tell how much that Town Moor romp took out of his star mare, but views a tilt at this £150,000 prize as a “shot to nothing”.

“You never know until you go to the racetrack so we’ll see, but she is a remarkable filly who takes her racing incredibly well,” said the Newmarket handler.

“She’s put all the weight back on that she lost – she was actually heavier on Thursday morning when we put her on the scales than she was before her race last week.

“It’s a shot to nothing. We know that it’s a tough ask as she put in a career-best performance on bottomless ground last weekend and if it’s left a mark it’s going to be a big ask, but all the signs at home are that she is fresh and well and ready to rock and roll again.”

Chief among Vadream’s rivals is Mick Appleby’s fast-improving sprinter Annaf.

The Muhaarar colt is a dual winner at Newcastle and is three from three since the turn of the year, completing his hat-trick with a Listed success at Lingfield in February.

Annaf holds strong claims on Finals Day
Annaf holds strong claims on Finals Day (John Hoy)

Appleby said: “I would like to think he has a very good chance. He seems to be going from strength to strength this season and can hopefully take another step forward. Even though he has not grown much in the last year, he has definitely got a lot stronger.

“He is probably the best chance we have had of winning one of the big ones on Finals Day. Edraak ran very well in the race last year and, with a bit of luck, hopefully Annaf can do it.”

Diligent Harry, trained by Clive Cox, finished a neck second to Annaf in the Kachy Stakes at Lingfield and has since gone one better at Newcastle before an unsuccessful trip to France.

“Diligent Harry won nicely up at Newcastle and then we took him over to France for his third qualifying run but sadly the saddle slipped, so there was nothing we could do about that,” said Cox.

“I am pleased to say that he has been in good order since then. There are no negatives with the track, given that he is a course and distance winner, and I would be very hopeful that he can put his best foot forward.”

Ado McGuinness saddles Harry's Bar
Ado McGuinness saddles Harry’s Bar (PA)

Irish hopes are carried by Ado McGuinness’ consistent speedster Harry’s Bar, who steps back in distance after finishing third in Listed company over seven furlongs at Wolverhampton four weeks ago.

McGuinness said: “Harry’s Bar is in great form and I was very happy with is run at Wolverhampton behind two high-class horses in Berkshire Shadow and Angel Bleu.

“We are going back to a straight six furlongs, although I think he does prefer racing around a bend. There are not many other options for a horse like him, so we have to take our chance.

“He ran in the race last year and was a little disappointing but he had just come back from Dubai having had a tough winter campaign, whereas this time around he is nice and fresh.

“He worked up the Curragh the other day with Hodd’s Girl (also runs at Newcastle) and they were both very good.”

Jack Tudor following illustrious footsteps with top job at Pond House

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Jack Tudor has landed the prestigious role of stable jockey to David Pipe at his famous Pond House Stables.

The vacancy became available in February on the shock immediate retirement of long-time number one Tom Scudamore, and Tudor’s services have been called upon regularly by Pipe since, riding for the yard at the Cheltenham Festival.

Tudor, who has ridden four winners for Pipe in his career so far, follows in the footsteps of not only Scudamore but the likes of Sir Anthony McCoy, Richard Dunwoody and Peter Scudamore to be in possession of the Pond House top job and Tudor admits he has big shoes to fill following Pipe’s announcement of the news.

“It’s obviously a big move for me and I’m looking forward to it and excited to see what happens,” he said.

“It’s a role that has been filled by great jockeys before and there are big shoes to fill, but hopefully I can fill them.”

The 20-year-old shot to prominence when partnering Christian Williams’ Potters Corner to win the 2019 Welsh Grand National, while Kitty’s Light is another of the Welshman’s string to provide Tudor with big-race success, winning Newcastle’s Eider Chase earlier this season.

Tudor was keen to pay tribute to Williams as he makes the move from Ogmore-by-Sea to Somerset and hopes to continue linking up with the man who has nurtured the early days of his career when his new association allows.

Jack Tudor celebrates his victory on Potters Corner in the Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase with trainer Christian Williams
Jack Tudor celebrates his victory on Potters Corner in the Coral Welsh Grand National Handicap Chase with trainer Christian Williams (David Davies/PA)

“Christian has been brilliant to me for the past five years,” continued the jockey.

“I’ve worked with him since I was 16 and I dedicate all my career so far to him and the reason I am able to get opportunities such as this are because of him giving me chances and trusting me for so long.

“I’ll look forward to keeping that relationship going with Christian and riding as many of his as possible and hopefully David and Christian can work well together and we can have plenty of success.”

Grand National-winning trainer Pipe write on Twitter: “I am excited to announce that @jacktudor9 will be stable jockey at Pond House, supported by our existing team of jockeys. He is a talented young rider with big-race experience.

“We look forward to exciting times ahead #newbeginnings.”

Manaafith carrying high hopes of maintaining unbeaten all-weather record

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Manaafith will bid to enhance her stellar all-weather record in the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle.

Victory in the £150,000 All-Weather Championships Finals Day event has always been the plan for Roger Varian’s four-year-old, who is is unbeaten in six appearances on synthetic surfaces and earned her spot at Gosforth Park when scoring at Southwell in January.

Although she raced over a mile when claiming the scalp of Sir Busker in the Listed Tandridge Stakes at Lingfield most recently, the majority of her success has come over seven furlongs and the daughter of Exceed And Excel returns to her optimum trip looking to extend her winning sequence to four.

“I think with any luck she has a good chance,” said Angus Gold, racing manager for owners Shadwell.

“She’s very consistent on the all-weather and has improved as she has gone on with her racing. They seem very happy with her at home.

“It’s obviously a big pot, but hopefully she can keep heading in the right direction. This has been her big aim and it will be lovely if she can pull it off.”

Chief among the dangers appears William Haggas’ Queen Aminatu who finished off 2022 with a pair of Listed victories, firstly at Lingfield in the Fleur De Lys Fillies’ Stakes and then in Deauville when impressively taking the Prix Miss Satamixa.

William Haggas’ Queen Aminatu will bid for a hat-trick in the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies' And Mares' Championships Conditions Stakes
William Haggas’ Queen Aminatu will bid for a hat-trick in the talkSPORT All-Weather Fillies’ And Mares’ Championships Conditions Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

The Anthony Oppenheimer-owned filly is officially the highest rated in the field, 4lb clear of Manaafith, with the only other runner in the field holding a rating above 100 being Adrian McGuinness’ Irish raider Hodd’s Girl.

The six-year-old has proven to be an ultra-consistent performer on home soil at Dundalk and having produced a career best in the Lady Wulfruna at Wolverhampton last month, could be set for another big performance when partnered by the in-form Oisin Murphy.

“This time last year Hodd’s Girl was heading for a claimer in Dundalk and now she is rated 101,” said McGuinness.

“She is improving with every run and it was a career-best from her the last day at Wolverhampton.

“If she can produce that run again, I think she will be in the money, especially as the stiffer finish at Newcastle will be to her advantage. I will be disappointed if she does not run a big race.”

Rae Guest’s Aramis Grey finished second to Manaafith at Southwell earlier this year before booking her ticket to the north east by downing recent Cammidge Trophy scorer Vadream at Lingield in a fast-track qualifier in February.

Wolverhampton winner River Pride will represent George Boughey and all-weather jockeys’ championship-chasing Kevin Stott, while Fiduciary (Jane Chapple-Hyam) and Smiling Sunflower (Mick Appleby) also head to post.

Envoi Allen has ‘definite aim’ of going for gold at Punchestown

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Henry de Bromhead’s Envoi Allen will target the Punchestown Gold Cup after his fantastic Ryanair Chase success.

The multiple Grade One winner disappointed in the King George VI Chase on Boxing Day day but was right back at his best at the Cheltenham Festival, defeating Nicky Henderson’s Shishkin by two and three-quarter lengths.

De Bromhead has drawn a line through the Kempton run and is now targeting the Cheveley Park-owned gelding at the Ladbrokes-sponsored showpiece on April 26.

“This is a definite aim for Envoi Allen,” he said of the Punchestown feature.

““He was a good winner of the Grade One in Down Royal (Ladbrokes Champion Chase) over three miles and his only blip this season was in the King George VI at Kempton.

Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen
Rachael Blackmore and Envoi Allen (Mike Egerton/PA)

“At that time, we had three horses that went over to England and ran appallingly, though Envoi and A Plus Tard had independent reasons for that. Still, they were all beaten after three fences.

“In fairness to Envoi, he has done very little wrong and was brilliant in the Ryanair. He seems really good since then.”

However, plans are still fluid for stablemate Minella Indo, who was pulled up with a lap to go when trying to reclaim his Cheltenham Gold Cup title.

“Minella Indo was very disappointing in the Gold Cup,” De Bromhead said.

“The start was a mess for him and nothing seemed to go right after that. He seems well again now and we’ve got three weeks to decide what we want to do.”

Envoi Allen and Minella Indo are part of a potentially stellar cast, which includes Cheltenham Gold Cup hero Galopin Des Champs (Willie Mullins) and runner-up Bravemansgame (Paul Nicholls). Shark Hanlon’s Hewick – who was still in the mix when departing two from home in the Gold Cup – is also engaged.

Shouldvebeenaring bidding to add further lustre to money-spinning CV

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Shouldvebeenaring goes in search of a fifth career success in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes, as enterprising owners Middleham Park Racing attempt to land a telling blow on All-Weather Championships Finals Day.

The Havana Grey colt found the scoresheet on three occasions as a juvenile and having picked up a £122,950 pay cheque when striking in a valuable sales race at York, soon scooped Listed honours at Ripon.

Respectable efforts in the Mill Reef and then back on the Knavesmire over seven furlongs followed before attentions turned to securing qualification for this £150,000 contest at Newcastle – something he achieved when winning at Southwell in January.

Shouldvebeenaring after winning at Ripon
Shouldvebeenaring after winning at Ripon (PA)

“Shouldvebeenaring looks like going off favourite and it looks like a race that is tailor-made for him on a track which suits being held up,” said Tom Palin of Middleham Park.

“I can see him running a similar race as to when he won the Goffs sales race, weaving through. I think he’s nearly top-rated and he looks to have a good chance, it’s been his target all winter.”

Julie Camacho’s Shaquille heads to Gosforth Park having won three of his four career starts and his only disappointment coming in the Acomb Stakes last summer.

Connections have kept the son of Charm Spirit fresh for a crack at this valuable six-furlong contest and are confident he can make his presence felt.

“We’ve been pleased with him,” said Steve Brown, assistant trainer and husband of Camacho.

“He quite purposely had a break after Wolverhampton which was always the intention. He’s trained well over the winter and has progressed again physically – he’s a nice, big, strong colt.

“He went to Newcastle last week to stretch his legs and have a lie of the land and have a breeze up the track.

“We’re looking forward to it, he’s a few pounds wrong with a few of the horses at the weights, but we still feel he is progressive and we’re interested to see if he can improve further.

“It will tell us which direction we should be going in and we still have an interest in going up in trip at some point – it’s on the agenda. But the stiff six is a good starting point, so we will see how it goes and go from there.

George Boughey is double-handed with recent Listed winner Perdika and Kempton scorer Danger Alert, while Kevin Ryan’s Hello Queen has won both starts so far this term, tasting success over course and distance last month.

Another recent winner in the line-up is Andrew Balding’s Desert Cop, who made huge strides when runner-up on his second start before thriving when dropped back to six furlongs, getting off the mark at the third attempt.

The speedily-bred son of Oasis Dream showed plenty of pace to put the race to bed on that occasion and David Bowe, racing manager for the Oasis Dream gelding’s owner Jeff Smith believes his blistering turn of foot could prove crucial once again.

He said: “He has progressed and I would say the six furlongs would suit him down to the ground, especially on his pedigree.

“His last run was impressive in the way he finished out his race and he looks to have plenty of speed. We’ve been really encouraged by him at home and his home work has been excellent.

“He’s a lovely horse with a very speedy pedigree and we’re hoping the six will be ideal for him.”

New Definition disappointed over a mile at Chelmsford last weekend, but trainer James Tate is prepared to put a line through that effort as he drops the otherwise consistent son of Invincible Spirit back down to six furlongs.

He said: “He seemed to improve for running a sharp seven at Lingfield twice, but the mile at Chelmsford was a disaster because he just got stuck wide all the way round.

“We’re backing him up quickly I know, but this is a stiff six at Newcastle and if Chelmsford hasn’t taken anything out of him hopefully he will be on the premises.

“He’s a very tough type and seems to take his racing well.”

Meanwhile Group One-winning jockey Robert Havlin is looking forward to partnering The X O for the first time.

Jockey Robert Havlin will partner John Ryan's The X O in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes
Jockey Robert Havlin will partner John Ryan’s The X O in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

Although the outsider of the field, John Ryan’s colt has racked up plenty of experience in the early part of 2023, winning two of his five starts since the turn of the year.

“I rode work on The X O on Tuesday and he gave me a nice feel,” said Havlin.

“I watched some of his races back and, although last time was messy, his performances at Southwell were quite impressive.

“I think the straight track at Newcastle will play to his strengths and, even though he has a bit to find on ratings, connections are hoping for a big run.”

The field is complete by Mick Appleby’s Michaela’s Boy, who was disappointing in France last month but brings course form to the table, and Grant Tuer’s versatile Glorious Angel.

Fencing plans for Corbetts Cross next season after Festival exit

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Corbetts Cross will sit out the rest of the season and resume over fences next term after his dramatic exit from the Albert Bartlett at Cheltenham.

The chestnut started out in the point-to-point field with Eugene O’Sullivan, graduating to rules racing for the same trainer and winning twice over hurdles before being bought by Paul Byrne and moving to Emmet Mullins’ yard.

His first run for new connections was a victory in the Grade Two Johnstown Novice Hurdle at Naas, after which he was sold to JP McManus and sent in the direction of the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival.

The 9-4 favourite for that race under Mark Walsh, the gelding was challenging at the final flight but crashed through the wing to unseat his rider.

Mullins has no explanation for the run-out, but he does know the horse will not be seen again this term.

A novice chasing campaign instead beckons next season, something his trainer is looking forward to due to the horse’s point-to-point background.

He said: “Corbetts has gone home (Martinstown Stud), I suppose it was a funny little period for him.

“He changed yards, he wasn’t with me long when he won in Naas. We weren’t sure, we were undecided about the ground in Cheltenham and the gamble nearly paid off but spectacularly didn’t.

“He came out of it OK, we’ll get him home and let him relax and try to get him going early next season.

“I don’t know (what happened), I haven’t watched the replay back. We’ll just put it down as one of those things and move on to next year.

“He’ll be going over fences next year and coming from the point-to-point field he’s a great prospect.”

Buckaroo foils Homeless Songs in Leopardstown thriller

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Buckaroo showed plenty of heart to dig deep and hold off Homeless Songs in a thrilling finish to the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown.

Chris Hayes aboard Dermot Weld’s Irish 1000 Guineas heroine had Buckaroo in his sights as the protagonists passed the one-furlong pole, showing all the style that saw her saunter to Classic success at the Curragh in 2022.

Although the 13-8 favourite drew level with Oisin Murphy’s mount in the closing stages, she was never able to get by the tough as teak Joseph O’Brien-trained colt (5-2), who pulled out extra to repel the strong challenge laid down by the returning-to-form filly and register a neck verdict at the finish.

The Qatar Racing-owned four-year-old was denied by the barest of margins at the Dublin track in last year’s Ballysax Stakes but got the better of the result this time around in his first outing since disappointing in last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas.

The victory also continued the hot run of Murphy since returning to the saddle following suspension.

“He was really straightforward, he had very nice form last year and it was lovely to be on him today,” said Murphy.

“Joseph pointed this race out about a month ago so it was a long time in the planning.

“We must really thank the team at Joseph O’Brien’s because the middle of last year he was quite sick and all the staff at Carriganog, and the vets, did a good job to nurse him back to health. It was looking like it was going to be a real battle.

“He went to post really sleepy, I was slowly away on one here on Sunday so I didn’t want the same thing to happen so I gave him a little nudge out and he relaxed in the race.

“It was a sit-and-sprint sort of race. When she (Homeless Songs) loomed up, she’s a very good filly and she put up a battle. I loved his attitude, he switched back to his outside lead and put his ears back and tried hard. They are admirable qualities.

“Joseph did say he had a little away day at the Curragh, but an older horse like this is always bound to improve from a race.

“He’s a homebred and that makes all the difference.”

Of his fruitless weekend trip, where a flying visit for one ride resulted in a narrow reverse, Murphy added: “It was a shame because on Sunday my family came and I got beat a short head and should have won.

“It was nice to make amends today.”

Mullins focused on present not past glories with National hero Noble Yeats

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Emmet Mullins has his feet on the ground as he prepares Noble Yeats for a Randox Grand National title defence.

The eight-year-old went into last year’s renewal a 50-1 chance with one chasing victory under his belt and a ninth-placed run in the Ultima at the Cheltenham Festival as his most recent piece of form.

He provided connections with a true fairytale when giving Sam Waley-Cohen, son of owner Robert, a famous victory on what was his last ever ride as an amateur jockey.

Sean Bowen has since taken over the reins and the gelding followed a path to the Gold Cup this season, in which he finished an excellent fourth. And with that meeting out of sight, his attentions turn to Aintree once more.

Though both horse and trainer have a cherished National victory to their names now, Mullins is not resting on his laurels or approaching the race any differently this time around.

Noble Yeats
Noble Yeats (Brian Lawless/PA)

“It’s been a bit different but not too much, I’ve never really let myself dwell on it,” he said.

“Though we’re getting close to it, it’s all about this year and last year’s done and dusted. It’s all about getting back there this year.

“I genuinely don’t look at Noble Yeats and think we won it last year, we’re in it again this year and that’s his aim.”

When asked what he would have said of Noble Yeats’ chances last season, the trainer added: “I probably wouldn’t have told you much! But I was still very confident myself.

“At the weights launch he was about 16-1 or 20-1. I suppose his run at Cheltenham in the Ultima was a bit disappointing but it was a big, competitive field and he was in among the hustle and bustle of it.

Noble Yeats crossing the line at Aintree last season
Noble Yeats crossing the line at Aintree last season (Steven Paston/PA)

“Sam came away from it happy, I was too and that’s when we decided that cheekpieces would be the little bit extra to get out of him.”

The odds seemed to be against Noble Yeats as no seven-year-old had won the National since Bogskar’s victory in 1940, but Mullins was blissfully unaware and quietly confident.

“I didn’t know about the stat about seven-year-olds, I was unaware of it so I wasn’t concerned about it,” he said.

“He had won a three-mile novice hurdle 12 months previous in Navan, or two (miles) six (furlongs) at least, he was always a relentless stayer who came from a point-to-point background.

“There was never any reason to worry. He gallops and he jumps, what more do you want?”

Noble Yeats ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen
Noble Yeats ridden by Sam Waley-Cohen (Mike Egerton/PA)

Much of the post-race reaction to last year’s win focused on Waley-Cohen and the film-script quality of his final ride resulting in a Grand National winner, but the Carlow locals did not fail to celebrate Mullins’ part in the triumph and he was taken aback by the homecoming he received.

“The biggest shock I got was coming home for the homecoming at the Lord Bagenal, I hadn’t told anyone about it and I was genuinely shocked when I saw the crowds, all the local people that had come out to see him,” he said

“That was the big one that hit home more than anything.”

He added: “He’s been highly tried this year, we went down the Gold Cup route and we’ve probably gone up a few more pounds because of that. Tiger Roll had 11st 5lb (when winning for the second time) and we’re trying to come back 6lb higher with 11st 11lb. Everything’s going to be harder.

“No one knows until we go again and try, (but) he seems to have come out of it (Cheltenham) well.

“Sean will ride again, I think he got a ban but he was able to defer it with the Grade Ones at Aintree. Fingers crossed he can keep quiet and we’ll have him in the plate again.”

Savethelastdance shows off winning moves at Leopardstown

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Savethelastdance halved in price for the Oaks after a determined success in the Irish Stallion Farms EBF Fillies Maiden at Leopardstown.

The daughter of Galileo was sent off the outsider of three Aidan O’Brien contenders at 20-1 but had clearly learnt a bit from her sole start at two, as she was not long in getting to a share of the lead before striding on with seven furlongs to run.

Ryan Moore was never far away on Boogie Woogie but could not get past the Wayne Lordan-ridden leader, and neither could Dermot Weld’s even-money favourite Azazat, who looked to have every chance from two out but failed to the extra gear that might have been expected.

“She had a nice run last year and obviously she handled the ground well and she stays well,” said O’Brien of his charge, whose American Grade One-winning dam Daddys Lil Darling went to Enable’s Oaks only to be withdrawn after bolting to the start when Epsom was hit by a thunderstorm.

“We were delighted with the second filly, we thought she’d win. Ryan said he followed her but every time he went to her, she found more.

“You are never sure about that ground until you run in it.

“Dermot thought his filly was good and so did Joseph (O’Brien, trainer of fourth home Star Galaxy) so I’d say it was a decent race.

“She’ll go into a trial now and she’ll get further.”

The Prairie completed a notable double for Wayne Lordan
The Prairie completed a notable double for Wayne Lordan (Gary Carson/PA)

O’Brien and Lordan wasted no time in doubling up, as The Prairie (7-2) took the Aparto Student (C & G) Maiden.

Like Savethelastdance seen just once as a juvenile, the Galileo colt sat not far off the pace set by stablemate Duke Cador and while he needed every yard of the 10 furlongs to get on top he was a cosy enough winner at the line.

Paddy Power were impressed by both Ballydoyle winners, with Savethelastdance 33-1 for the Oaks and The Prairie 25-1 for the Derby.

“He had a nice run in Killarney last year,” said O’Brien.

“He’s bred to get a mile and a half. Wayne had a lovely position on him, Seamus (Heffernan) went an even gallop in front and he picked up and galloped home. Wayne liked him loads so that was good.

“He got a mile and a quarter very well there in heavy ground and he’s obviously going to get a mile and a half well. He’s a horse to look forward to.

“Seamus was delighted with his horse (Duke Cador) and said to maybe ride him a bit more patient the next day as when he got there he was waiting.

“Ryan’s horse (The Black Tiger) pulled a muscle in his hind quarters, maybe at the two marker. We’ll give him a bit of time off and hopefully he’ll be OK.”

O’Brien was narrowly denied a hat-trick on the day, with Farnborough and Moore losing out by a short head to the Jim Bolger-trained Fleetfoot in the Aparto Home Stretch (C & G) Maiden.

Fleetfoot and Rory Clearly
Fleetfoot and Rory Clearly (Gary Carson/PA)

The winner – who is jointly owned by Bolger’s wife Jackie and former jockey Freddy Tylicki – kept good company in three starts last year, including finishing third to subsequent Group One winner Al Riffa on his second outing.

“His form was good last year. He usually only got mugged by a very good horse and he’s a better three-year-old than he was a two-year-old,” said Bolger of the Rory Cleary-ridden 7-4 favourite.

“He handled it well and I’d say he’ll go on any ground. I’d say he’ll go all the way trip-wise.

“Hopefully he’ll be back here in September!”

Philippart De Foy has plenty to look forward to with El Habeeb

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All avenues are open for El Habeeb after his fifth-placed Dubai Gold Cup run for Kevin Philippart De Foy.

The colt was previously trained by Stan Moore and finished 10th in last season’s Derby before changing stables and eventually contesting another Classic with Philippart De Foy – coming home sixth in the St Leger in September.

Last season ended on a high as he landed the Listed Noel Murless Stakes at Ascot, defying odds of 11-1 to prevail by half a length under Andrea Atzeni. The same jockey took the ride when the horse lined up over two miles at Meydan late last month.

Philippart De Foy was satisfied with the performance and also with how the horse dealt with the experience of travelling and running overseas, something that will open plenty of doors to further valuable contests in warmer climes.

“We were very pleased, he was a length and a half behind a Gold Cup winner (Subjectivist) with Quickthorn a length behind him,” the trainer said.

“We were around very good horses in a deep race on his first start of the year. Also against older horses with more experience over the trip, he didn’t disgrace himself at all. I’m sure he will come on from that run and we will have plenty of fun with him throughout the year.

“I think he will improve with time, his run in the Leger was over a similar trip but that was his first run at the trip. That (Dubai) was then his first start over two miles and his first start of the year and I wasn’t overly hard on him so we have plenty of horse left for the summer.

“He will definitely step up from that, he will get stronger through the year and should have a good campaign.”

The Henry II Stakes, a two-mile Group Three at Sandown, could be next on the agenda as the four-year-old kicks off his domestic campaign. But contests as far afield as Australia will come into focus when the domestic turf season winds down.

Philippart De Foy said: “He’s come out the race in Dubai very well, we were pleased with his run there. He’s just having two easy weeks before building him back up. He will potentially head to Sandown, that will be one option but we will discuss it with the owner and make a final plan.

“The owner wants to keep in mind a potential trip to Australia at the back end of the year, we won’t over-race him but we’ve got a few nice options in England and France. We’ll probably run him four or five times and then see if we could go there to Australia.

“He is a very laid-back horse at home and we thought the travelling would be good for him. When I first saw him in Dubai on the Tuesday morning – he flew on the Saturday – he’d actually put a bit of weight on and looked fantastic.

“He bounced back very quickly, it’s definitely an option to travel throughout the year. We’ll try to avoid the top stayers in the UK and try to find a few easier options.”