Hurricane Lane storms back to winning ways

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Hurricane Lane defied a thunder storm to stamp his class on the Jockey Club Stakes at Newmarket.

The chestnut looked to have the world at his feet two years ago when winning the Irish Derby and the St Leger and going close in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

His four-year-old season was something of a write-off, however, as he was only third in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before being well beaten in the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.

Kept in training with the aim of returning to Paris for the Arc, those ambitions looked a long way off when he finished last of seven at Newbury in the John Porter Stakes last month – his first start after an absence of 293 days.

Weak in the market for most of the day, he was eventually backed into 2-1 with West Wind Blows sent off the even-money favourite.

Fitted with cheekpieces for the first time by Charlie Appleby, the result was never in any doubt with William Buick sending him on fully half a mile from home.

With stamina no issue, Hurricane Lane powered clear and was six lengths to the good from West Wind Blows who just pipped Global Storm for the runner-up spot.

Appleby’s charge was cut to 7-1 from 20s by Betfair for the Coronation Cup at Epsom.

Appleby said: “A few people might have thought we were being a bit selfish wanting to run him (as a five-year-old), but he showed us his old demeanour throughout the winter and into the spring.

“Newbury was disappointing, but it was a big ask for him in heavy ground and Will just said he felt like a different horse today. He said he was sluggish at Newbury and today he just floated along.

“Everyone was obviously asking the question ‘why did he get beat’ and asking why we were coming back so soon, but he showed us what he could do midweek with the cheekpieces on and fair play to the team, they said he couldn’t get beat today.

“I have to thank His Highness Sheikh Mohammed for allowing us to keep this horse in training. When you have a horse that has given the team as much as he’s given then of course you feel for them and want them to carry on doing it. I’m delighted for everyone.

“We could look at the Hardwicke in the summer, if the ground was right. I’ve always said I wanted to work back from the Arc, which might be a bit bold, but we’ll see.”

Buick said: “It was absolutely brilliant and full credit to Charlie and the team. We were brave to bring him back here 13 days after Newbury and he has had a lovely experience on his doorstep.

“This is the Hurricane Lane that we know so it is lovely to have him back winning like that. There were a lot of question marks for sure, but everyone was happy with him at home.

“I think all the information and knowledge everyone had of him was that he was in tip-top order. We were probably hopeful of that performance as we thought he was back to his good three-year-old form.

“It was brilliant when I pressed on into the lead and you couldn’t have asked for anymore of him.”

Sakheer bidding to be golden over a mile in Guineas

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Sakheer “could not be in better condition”, as connections bid to find out whether or not he will stay the trip in Saturday’s Qipco 2000 Guineas.

The Zoffany colt had three starts, all over six furlongs, for trainer Roger Varian last term and ended the season scoring with ease in the Group Two Mill Reef at Newbury. He steps up to a mile for the first time in the Newmarket Classic with owners KHK Racing Ltd seeking clues as to his future path.

Their racing manager, retired trainer Chris Wall, said: “He has been working well and I know Roger has been happy with his preparation, which has been trouble-free.

“He will go there and do the best he can. There are obvious doubts about his stamina, which will only be answered when we run him on Saturday, but he is in good condition and we will hope for a good run.

“Ideally we wouldn’t want too much more rain. I was a little exasperated to see that (clerk of the course) Michael Prosser had started to water the track, which seems rather an unnecessary thing to do, given that we have had the wettest spring for 40 years, but there we go. That’s a problem for him.

“The horse couldn’t be in better condition and we’re looking forward to the day. Whatever he does, it will confirm plans one way of the other as to which route we go down in future.

“He’s a very talented horse, but we’re not sure yet what his best trip might be.”

Aidan O’Brien’s pair of Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear dominate the betting with Dewhurst hero Chaldean the main threat, according to bookmakers.

Chaldean, trained by Andrew Balding, will provide Frankie Dettori with his last ride in the race after the Italian stated his intention to retire at the end of the year. The Frankel colt went into Newbury’s Greenham Stakes as a short-priced favourite, but unseated Dettori leaving the stalls on his seasonal debut.

Chaldean (right) held Royal Scotsman (left) in the Dewhurst
Chaldean (right) held Royal Scotsman (left) in the Dewhurst (Tim Goode/PA)

Speaking in his blog for World Pool, Dettori said: “The Rowley Mile at Newmarket has given me some great memories over the years. Mark Of Esteem in 1996 was probably the greatest 2000 Guineas finish I ever rode in. That was my first win and I remember it being such a thrilling finish.

“Island Sands three years later was also a memorable one, with it being the only 2000 Guineas run at the July course. And then I can’t forget Galileo Gold in 2016. That win kick-started the comeback for me, so I’ll be forever thankful to Sheikh Joaan for that.

“Often a higher draw is preferable over the mile at Newmarket, but I broke from stall one on Galileo Gold, so hopefully we can get the same kind of trip on Chaldean this year.

“The way I see it, the fancied ones are drawn 11-13, so it’s not ideal being away from them, but Chaldean is a horse who can go and run his own race.

“He’s got plenty of speed, so hopefully he can get away well and be right up there from the off, just like he was in the Dewhurst and the Champagne Stakes. I would have liked to have been drawn a bit closer to the main rivals, but it is what it is. I’ll ride my own race.”

Royal Scotsman was given plenty of experience as a juvenile, running six times and twice winning at Goodwood.

He was beaten a head by Chaldean on his final start in the Dewhurst at Newmarket, on his first try over seven furlongs.

Oliver Cole, in his fourth season sharing the licence with his Derby-winning father, Paul, could not be happier with Royal Scotsman, who makes his seasonal bow.

He said: “He’s very fit and well and we are expecting a good performance. He was never going to run in a trial as that would have meant starting earlier, and we were confident that on our gallops we could get him ready first time out.”

Sheikh Mohammed bids for a sixth success in the race, the Godolphin operation having struck last year with the Charlie Appleby-trained Coroebus.

Appleby is dual-handed with Silver Knott and Noble Style. The former is a dual Group Three winner, who was beaten a head when last seen in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf at Keeneland in November, while Noble Style was unbeaten in three starts, signing off with success in the Gimcrack at York.

William Buick has opted for Silver Knott, despite having chosen to partner Noble Style when the pair galloped separately at the Craven meeting.

William Buick has decided to stick with Silver Knott
William Buick has decided to stick with Silver Knott (Tim Goode/PA)

He said: “Silver Knott was a good two-year-old who did very little wrong and was only just touched off at the Breeders’ Cup. It’s obviously a very good race, but he’s still progressive and he’s in very good form.

“Noble Style is a Gimcrack winner and unbeaten, so he’s a high-class horse too, but he’s stepping up two furlongs to a mile.”

Karl Burke is represented by the trio of Holloway Boy, Indestructible and Flight Plan.

Holloway Boy has five and a quarter lengths to make up on Auguste Rodin on their Doncaster run, while Indestructible showed his well-being with victory over course and distance in the Craven.

“All three are very nice colts,” said Burke. “Holloway Boy was always going to go straight to the Guineas without a prep run. He proved last year that he could win first time out.

“The horse is in great form and we are very happy with him. Christophe Soumillon rides and I’m sure he will run a good race. He will run in a visor.

Indestructible bids to follow up his success in the Craven (Tim Goode/PA)
Indestructible bids to follow up his success in the Craven (Tim Goode/PA)

“Indestructible came out of the Craven great. He will definitely improve for fitness and he is obviously improving on the course, as he galloped through the line very strongly.

“We are looking forward to seeing him in a stronger-run race than the Craven was. I’m sure we will get a good gallop and I’m sure that will suit him even better.

“We didn’t have him last season and felt he needed a wind op. Our vets thought we’d find 10 to 15 per cent improvement in him and they are probably right – he certainly ran a great race first time for us.”

Flight Plan, who is a son of 2014 Guineas winner Night Of Thunder, has Burke purring after he was beaten a neck by Dear My Friend over a mile in a Listed all-weather mile contest at Newcastle on his return.

“Flight Plan is a lovely horse. He lost 15 kilos when he ran at Newcastle, so he will improve plenty,” said the Leyburn handler.

“He has been working very, very well – his work has been exceptional at home – and I know Danny Tudhope is very sweet on him. At the prices, he’d be the one I’d be backing at 50-1 rather than the others.”

Galeron is a big price, according to trainer Charles Hills
Galeron is a big price, according to trainer Charles Hills (Brian Lawless/PA)

In a similar vein, Charlie Hills feels Galeron, who won the Goffs Million on his final start as a juvenile and was a place behind Flight Plan at Newcastle on his first run as a three-year-old, is being overlooked by bookmakers.

Hills said: “He’s a massive price and he has got plenty of experience. I was really happy with his run at Newcastle, coming through the field and finishing third.

“He is a horse who doesn’t do an awful lot at home, but I think his experience will hold him in good stead.

“A little bit of rain would help, but it should be beautiful ground by the weekend.

“He stayed on really nicely at Newcastle and we were conscious of a really bad draw, so we wanted to give that away and come in though horses. He is laid back at home so that race will have brought him on an awful lot.”

Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear give O’Brien very strong Guineas hand

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Aidan O’Brien acknowledges it is “possible” the mile of the Qipco 2000 Guineas will be too short for hot favourite Auguste Rodin.

O’Brien is also represented in the opening Classic of the season by Little Big Bear, who is second-favourite, as the Ballydoyle maestro bids to add to his record 10 victories in the Newmarket showpiece.

The 53-year-old last won the prize in 2019 with Magna Grecia and has never had more than four successive years without a victory in the race since he first struck with King Of Kings in 1998.

Auguste Rodin is considered a Triple Crown contender, with the Derby and the St Leger on the radar. He won his previous three starts, including the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October.

Like Little Big Bear, winner of the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh, he will make his seasonal bow.

However, there are trip questions for both horses, with Little Big Bear untested beyond six and a half furlongs and Ryan Moore’s mount, Auguste Rodin, potentially finding a mile too sharp.

“It is possible that the mile will be too short for him,” admitted O’Brien. “We don’t know really. We are happy with what he has done and what he is doing at the moment.

“He is a horse who has loads of class. We are going to learn a lot about him and he’s going to learn a lot. We are looking forward to him.

“He’s a horse who has always shown plenty of class in all his work from very early on. Ryan sat on him in February or March as a two-year-old and he loved him then. He was showing loads then and it is usually a good sign.

Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien bid for more glory at Newmarket on Saturday
Ryan Moore and Aidan O’Brien bid for more glory at Newmarket on Saturday (Nigel French/PA)

“I suppose we had to see what his work was like and if anyone wasn’t happy at any step along the road, then he might not have run in the Guineas. But everything is good.”

O’Brien has no qualms about the pair taking each other on, as it is a tried and tested formula for Coolmore-owned horses in the Classic.

He is also not ruling out the possibility of a repeat of 2002, where Rock Of Gibraltar upset stablemate and favourite Hawk Wing when the pair finished first and second.

“We are lucky. So far, they have come through the winter well and they have taken their training well in the spring up until now,” O’Brien added.

“It was always a possibility it (a clash) was going to happen. They have two different profiles. Obviously they will probably go their separate ways after this race.

“I suppose Auguste Rodin will probably move up in trip, definitely.

Little Big Bear tries a mile for the first time in the colts' Classic
Little Big Bear tries a mile for the first time in the colts’ Classic (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

“I would imagine it will tell us a lot about Little Big Bear, whether he is going to stay a mile or go back. It is going to be very interesting and informative for us.”

Given the ground was very soft on his last run, any rain would appear to enhance Auguste Rodin’s chance. Yet O’Brien feels the son of Deep Impact will appreciate quicker conditions than when trouncing subsequent Epsom Blue Riband Trial winner Epictetus by three and a half lengths on Town Moor.

“We were a little bit surprised by Auguste Rodin at Doncaster,” he conceded. “We were a little bit worried about running him in that type of ground – the ground got soft that day and he is a beautiful-moving horse and definitely not a soft-ground horse. That’s why we were delighted.”

Asked if he could split Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear if they turned up on top form, O’Brien said: “Auguste Rodin is going to get the trip – we’ve seen that before. Little Big Bear hasn’t run near this distance at all and obviously two furlongs is a long way in a horse race. He’s only run over six (furlongs).

“If you put them together, you don’t know. Both of them are doing most of their work over seven furlongs and it looks lovely for both.

“Little Big Bear is getting home and he seems to be covering the last furlong well. We haven’t gone any further and obviously the other horse gallops through the line, which we expect him to be doing anyway. It is going to be a very interesting race, really.

“Little Big Bear is by No Nay Never, who is a big influence for speed. Joseph (O’Brien) won with a No Nay Never over a mile and a quarter in the week in a Group Two, so that’s been very encouraging to see at least that can happen.

“Until you see it, you are never sure. He’s out of a mare that it could happen, but he is by No Nay Never and he is a quick horse.”

Moore, who is such a major cog in the Ballydoyle operation, seeks a third win, following success aboard the O’Brien-trained Gleneagles in 2015 and Churchill in 2017.

He sticks with Auguste Rodin, although concedes it would be no surprise to see Little Big Bear (Wayne Lordan) take the laurels.

“We have two very good horses in here, but two very different horses, and they will be going down very different paths after this race,” Moore reported on his Betfair blog.

“I’ll start with Little Big Bear. After what he did in the Phoenix Stakes at two – that was quite a stunning win – he deserves to run in this Classic rather than in Ireland or France, as Newmarket will tell us a lot more about him and where he will be heading afterwards.

“He clearly has a lot of pace but I personally think he will stay a mile, and that makes him a very dangerous rival to all, including my mount Auguste Rodin.

“We haven’t seen Little Big Bear since that Curragh win in August but he has been going well.

“There are no stamina concerns with Auguste Rodin obviously, and he will probably be heading up in trip after this, and he is a horse we have always loved from day one as a juvenile and he fulfilled those expectations with his Doncaster win.

“He is an exciting prospect for the season, but hopefully for the here and now, too. But would it surprise me if Little Big Bear beat him? Not really.

“They are the two best horses in here and the others have to reach, and maybe surpass, their current level, and hopefully they are drawn in the right place in 12 and 13.”

Twilight takes Palace test after lengthy absence

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Royal Ascot runner-up Twilight Calls attempts to defy a 326-day absence when he reappears in the Howden Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

Henry Candy’s five-year-old was a winner over the course and distance on his seasonal debut before going on to finish fifth in this Group Three contest 12 months ago.

He subsequently proved himself to be a top-level sprinter by getting within a head of King’s Lynn in the Temple Stakes before finishing second to the imperious Nature Strip in the King’s Stand Stakes at the Royal meeting.

That appearance at the Berkshire track was to be Twilight Calls’ final action of 2022 with injury ruling him out of the remainder of the campaign, but Candy – who won this race with the Twilight Calls’ grandsire Kyllachy in 2002 – believes he has lost none of his ability while on the sidelines.

Twilight Calls (left) finishing second to Kings Lynn in the Temple Stakes at Haydock
Twilight Calls (left) finishing second to King’s Lynn in the Temple Stakes at Haydock (Ricard Sellers/PA)

“He seems in good from at the moment, touch wood,” said Candy. “I’m looking forward to it.

“Time will tell, but I don’t think he is any less of a horse hopefully.

“He was a tad unlucky at Haydock and then just ran into one at Ascot and after that it was disappointing, but he just needed the time and the rest. Hopefully it will be worth the wait.”

Manaccan arrives having won three of his final four outings last term, with handler John Ryan employing the services of Frankie Dettori this time around.

“We’re delighted to have Frankie on board, that’s a good partnership for any horse,” said Ryan.

“I think the horse is fit and well and has done enough to get on a racecourse. He’s been off the track a while of course, but he’s been doing enough at home and the other horses in the yard seem to be running well which would give us a bit more confidence.

“They are top-class horses in a top-class race and if he’s good enough, he should be able to take them along.

Manaccan winning the Cazoo Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster
Manaccan winning the Cazoo Scarbrough Stakes at Doncaster (Tim Goode/PA)

“We were a little bit concerned when we heard that Newmarket had decided to water when there is a chance of rain, even though it has subsided a little bit. The chances are if it does get in and there’s rain on top of ground they have watered, then we won’t run.”

He added: “You would love to think he is a horse you could go to Ascot with and if we go there, then we would hope to be looking at the King’s Stand and if that’s your path, you want to be running well in this.”

Mick Appleby’s Raasel found the scoresheet three times last season before finishing the year in Group One contests and has most recently been seen competing at Meydan, while Equilateral has also been running in Dubai and represents the same trainer-owner combination of Charlie Hills and Fitri Hay as last year’s winner Khaadem.

Hills also saddles Kennet Valley Thoroughbred’s Equality – who is the mount of William Buick – while another trainer double-handed in the race is Clive Cox with stable stalwart Tis Marvellous and recent Bath third Get Ahead

“Tis Marvellous has wintered well I’m pleased to say. It’s good to get these sprinters back into gear,” said the Beechdown Stables handler.

“Get Ahead just got slightly hampered at the start at Bath before finishing off really well. She has come out of that race well and I’m just hopeful we don’t get too much rain to dampen her chances.

“She’s in excellent form and looks and feels stronger this year and I hope that is confirmed in her performance.”

Adam West could record the biggest victory of his training career if Live In The Dream can build on his unbeaten start to the season.

The four-year-old has accounted for Robert Cowell’s Arecibo at both Lingfield and Pontefract and will now attempt to complete the three-timer on the Rowley Mile.

“Originally we were going to head straight to the Temple Stakes but he has come out of Pontefract so well that we thought we would come here as well,” said West.

“He’s very quick away and these straight courses probably don’t lend themselves to his best attributes.

“But while he’s fit, ready and confident, we will give it a go and I think over the Craven meeting it showed you have to be balanced to come out of the dip and he should be able to do that because he is very strong and has good core strength due to his short back.”

Existent outran his odds to finish second in this event 12 months ago and Stuart Williams’ charge is amongst the runners once again, this time partnered by Oisin Murphy.

Also looking to defy the bookmakers’ estimations is Tees Spirit who won five times last term, including the Epsom Dash and the Abergwaun Stakes at Tipperary.

That Listed victory has a strong look to it, with the runner-up Erosandpsyche finishing second in a Group One next time and the third Moss Tucker downing Tenebrism last month.

Trainer Adrian Nicholls said: “Tees Spirit is in great order, he has been working very well and I’m really pleased with him.

“I don’t really take what the betting says, I think he’s definitely good enough and massively overpriced.

“He won in Tipperary and then Moss Tucker went and franked the form the other day, while the second from that race went and finished second in a Group One. His only blips last year were on heavy ground at the Curragh and at Longchamp and apart from that, his form is there for everyone to see.

“We’re going to hopefully find out a bit more on Saturday, but the Nunthorpe is my main target. He’s obviously going to come up against some of these and even better rivals in a race like that, so we want to be seeing how we get on.”

Shouldvebeenaring an early wedding gift for Levey

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Shouldvebeenaring proved his versatility by handling the step up to seven furlongs with aplomb in the King Charles II Stakes at Newmarket.

A money-spinner for his Middleham Park connections last season when he won a valuable sales race at York and a Listed race at Ripon, he had been spotted running on strongly in his last two races over six furlongs.

Stepped up to seven furlongs, having finished a close fifth in the Spring Cup at Newbury over the distance, the Richard Hannon-trained three-year-old appeared to relish it.

Dropped out as the field were taking along at a strong pace set by Arabian Storm and Benacre, there were almost five in a line heading into the dip.

Sean Levey delivered his challenge furthest away from the stands, but he quickened up smartly to win by three-quarters of a length. Benacre stuck on gamely for second, with Arabian Storm third.

The winner was an apt one for Levey, who gets married on Monday to long-term partner Toni Vaughan.

Hannon said: “It’s Sean’s wedding on Monday and I’ve got one or two (rings) I can lend him!

“He’s not a big horse, but he’s one of the bravest – he’s got the heart of a lion. I thought he’d get seven furlongs and he did get it very well.

“He’s barely ever run a bad race. He’s been on the go a bit, but he thrives on that. I’m delighted for the horse because he didn’t cost a lot of money (£40,000) and he’s a little gem.

“We’ll look at something like the Jersey (at Royal Ascot) and there’s a nice race at Epsom before that (Surrey Stakes). He’ll handle anything and can go anywhere, but Ascot is where these guys want to be.”

Levey said: “It’s a big day (on Monday) and that has helped pay for some of it, but not enough! I’m excited about it though and looking forward to it.

“He always turns up no matter what and he’s just so straightforward.

“They’ve gone a good gallop today and that’s why I’ve always been convinced he wants six furlongs because he gets that gallop then. Over seven, if they go a bit steadier, it doesn’t suit him.

“They’ve gone a true gallop there today and he keeps finding that little bit more. Now that he’s shown he can run against these better type of horses and beat them, there’s more opportunities for him.

“It’s hard to say where his limits are.”

Mutasaabeq pointing towards Lockinge following Newmarket strike

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Mutasaabeq began his season in the same fashion that he ended the last with a dominant display at Newmarket in the rearranged bet365 Mile.

Winner of the Joel Stakes when last seen, he was due to reappear at Sandown last week but when that race was lost to the weather, it was rescheduled for the Guineas meeting.

Trained by Charlie Hills, Mutasaabeq (4-1) was smartly away under Jim Crowley, with Irish Guineas winner Native Trail a little sluggish upon leaving the stalls.

That allowed Crowley to dictate matters and despite carrying a Group Two penalty for his Joel Stakes win, Mutasaabeq had matters under control from a long way out.

On meeting the rising ground Native Trail did start to make some inroads but was still beaten by three lengths.

The winner can still be backed at 14-1 for the Lockinge with Coral but Betfair were more impressed and cut him to 7-1.

Hills said: “He was supplemented for the Guineas as a three-year-old, so he’s always been a good horse.

“He’s got a good record here and I’m delighted with the way he’s put it to bed, especially given he had the penalty to carry as well today.

“The blinkers seem to have helped him and we’ll have to look at the Lockinge now, I suppose.

“He’s beautifully bred, being by Invincible Spirit out of Ghanaati, so that will have done him no harm today (winning a Group Two).

“It’s obviously a week shorter now than it would have been between this and the Lockinge, had it been run at Sandown, but I think he should be fine.”

Chris Hayes relishing Classic opportunity with Tahiyra

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Chris Hayes is determined to enjoy the fact he is riding the favourite Tahiyra in the Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket on Sunday.

Not seen since a scintillating display in the Moyglare Stud Stakes on just her second start, the unbeaten Dermot Weld-trained filly has headed the market for the Classic all winter.

There had been some doubt as to whether she would be ready in time for Newmarket, but Weld confirmed earlier in the week she would take her chance and Hayes is understandably delighted.

“It’s great she’s been declared. Obviously she was very impressive last year and you’d have to be looking forward to her. To get the chance to ride the favourite in any English or Irish Classic is special, so we’ll enjoy it and hope for a bit of luck,” he said.

“Before Galway, she just felt a like a special filly in her work. She’d never blow you away but she just felt different, everything came with an ease to her. She excited me in Galway and when I got off that day, I felt she could potentially be a Group One filly.

“But if you’d said to me she would go and win the Moyglare next time, I wouldn’t have believed you and anybody being honest would say the same – to take that step up and put a field of that quality to bed with 100 yards to go, I don’t think anybody would have thought that.

“She looked terribly exciting that day, she seems to have wintered well so I’m looking forward to it.

“If I’m honest, since I got off her at the Curragh I’ve been looking forward to her next race tremendously. I just love riding her as she’s a pleasure to do anything with.”

Hayes won the Irish 1,000 Guineas on Weld’s Homeless Songs last year and is savouring the link with another potential star.

Chris Hayes celebrates winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes on Tahiyra
Chris Hayes celebrates winning the Moyglare Stud Stakes on Tahiyra (Donall Farmer/PA)

“I’m very excited, to get on any favourite in a Classic is rare, for me it’s the stuff of dreams so we’ll see what we can do. She’s in good shape and she’s trained by the right man, hopefully things go well,” he said.

“Meditate ran her race in the Moyglare, I know they said the ground was slower than ideal for her but we drew a long way clear of the third. Her form is rock solid.

“Obviously, like the boss has said, there’s always the question if they train on from two to three, but on her home work she appears to have and she’s just a pleasure. She’ll never get you excited going up the gallops but she turns it on at the races.

“That Moyglare form is rock solid and I certainly wouldn’t swap her for anything else.”

Aidan O’Brien’s Meditate was subsequently second in the Cheveley Park Stakes and then went to Keeneland where she won the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf over a mile.

Lezoo is the mount of Frankie Dettori
Lezoo is the mount of Frankie Dettori (David Davies/PA)

The winner of the Cheveley Park was the Ralph Beckett-trained Lezoo, the mount of Frankie Dettori, but she will be stepping up two furlongs in distance.

According to the market, Beckett’s first string is the Fred Darling winner Remarquee, who will be ridden by Rob Hornby.

Saeed bin Suroor’s Mawj will team up with Oisin Murphy for the first time after winning twice at Meydan earlier in the year.

In the first of those victories she beat Dream Of Love, while in the second she was a long way clear of Fairy Cross. Both of those are trained by Charlie Appleby and will attempt to gain their revenge.

Mammas Girl was an impressive winner of the Nell Gwyn
Mammas Girl was an impressive winner of the Nell Gwyn (Tim Goode/PA)

Mammas Girl was impressive in the Nell Gwyn for Richard Hannon and is another unbeaten contender and she will be joined be stablemate Powerdress

Polly Pott, now with Ben Pauling following the retirement of Harry Dunlop, is another Group winner in the race.

Caernarfon will attempt to give Jack Channon a Classic winner in his first season, Matilda Picotte represents Kieran Cotter while Billy Loughnane continues his rapid ascent through the ranks with a first Guineas ride on Richard Spencer’s outsider Sweet Harmony.

Only Beckett’s Juliet Sierra and O’Brien’s Never Ending Story were not declared at the 48-hour stage.

Castle Way in front but Appleby has Ascot not Epsom in mind

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Castle Way got the Qipco Guineas meeting off to the perfect start for Charlie Appleby and William Buick with a dominant display in the Newmarket Stakes, in the process denying the King a winner.

Sent off the 7-1 apparent Appleby second-string with the James Doyle-ridden and eventual third Victory Dance the 7-2 favourite, Castle Way was handy throughout.

Buick kicked clear well over a furlong out and seemed to catch many of his rivals on the hop, with Victory Dance suddenly finding himself out of his ground.

Castle Way, a son of Almanzor, soon had the race won and it was left to Circle Of Fire, trained by Sir Michael Stoute in the royal colours on coronation weekend, to chase him home but he was beaten a length and three-quarters.

The race lost some of its interest before the start with Ed Walker’s Waipiro having to be withdrawn.

Just as the horses pulled up near the stalls, Forca Timao kicked out and caught Waipiro’s jockey Tom Marquand, who was deemed not fit enough to take the ride.

The winner was cut to 25-1 from 33s by Betfair for the St Leger.

Appleby said: “I don’t quite know why the market was the way it was, that’s not my business, but William has always loved Castle Way. He was sitting on the fence as to which horse he would like to ride, but he did say he’s always loved this horse and wanted to stick with him.

“I said to William before he went out to let him get on with it and use himself and he’ll stay further for sure.

“I’m very pleased with Victory Dance as well. It was his first time over that trip and on a more conventional track I think you’ll see further improvement.

“I would say Castle Way will go to Royal Ascot (King Edward VII Stakes). The only reason I didn’t put him into the Derby picture is because he went round Epsom as a two-year-old and got beat as a favourite. Admittedly the ground was soft, but Adam (Kirby) said he hated the track.

“He’s just one of those horses and a big unit. He’s tried and tested once on that track and I don’t really want to go back there again and potentially lose the horse.”

Circle Of Fire (red sleeves) was second for the King
Circle Of Fire (red sleeves) was second for the King (Tim Goode/PA)

The King and Queen Consort’s racing manager John Warren said of Circle Of Fire: “I simply have no idea whether the King would be able to watch this live, but the good thing is the King and the Queen Consort are loving their involvement with the horses, which is tremendous.

“No doubt they’ll be watching the video when they can cram it in and Circle Of Fire is a lovely horse in the making.

“I get feedback all the time of how important the royal patronage is to racing. The King takes it seriously and understands the bigger picture of everything he does.

“I don’t think the racing is just for him to enjoy his horses alone, I think knowing the effect the royal patronage has doesn’t get lost on the King or the Queen Consort.

“In racing we’re lucky enough to have two members of the royal family keen, so hopefully we can get lucky with a few horses for them to make it even more enjoyable.”

Although it is yet unknown where the withdrawn Waipiro will be rerouted to put his Epsom credentials to the test, Marquand will have to sit out of the weekend’s action due to the injuries he sustained in the pre-race incident.

He was due to partner Roger Varian’s Charyn in the Qipco 2000 Guineas and Hugo Palmer’s Stenton Glider in the Qipco 1000 Guineas, but revealed on twitter he will be on the sidelines for the next two days.

He said: “Absolutely gutted to be ruled out of this weekend’s Guineas meeting after being kicked in the arm while cantering down today.

“Thankfully my X-rays have come back clear and I’m now stitched back together after a fairly messy looking wound.”

New Gosden recruit Zellie makes British bow at Goodwood

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Zellie will make her debut for John and Thady Gosden in the William Hill Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood on Saturday.

Formerly trained by Andre Fabre, the daughter of Wootton Bassett was a four-time winner at two including when landing the Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc day in 2021.

However, she failed to reach the same heights at three and although a more than respectable fourth behind Cachet when making the trip to Newmarket for the 1000 Guineas, she was well held in both the Prix de Diane and in her final start of 2022 in the Prix du Ranelagh.

Switched to Clarehaven in the off season, she is now handed a Listed assignment over a mile on reappearance, with connections looking forward to seeing what their new recruit has to offer.

“She has some very good form in the past. She was fourth in the Guineas last year and it is obviously her first run for us,” said Thady Gosden.

“It’s a very competitive race and Potapova is a very smart filly who ran well throughout last year. But it’s a nice place to start her over a mile.

“She has some good form, but it is her first run of the year and we’ll have to see how she gets on.”

Sir Michael Stoute’s Potapova proved highly consistent last term, finishing second to the reopposing Roman Mist in the Snowdrop Fillies’ Stakes before filling the same position in the Princess Elizabeth Stakes at Epsom and going on to land the Atalanta Stakes later in the year.

Potapova (right) finishing second at Epsom last summer
Potapova (right) finishing second at Epsom last summer (John Walton/PA)

This one-mile distance appears her optimum, while it is also the yardage Kevin Philippart De Foy’s Lightship has thrived over of late – winning two Kempton handicaps before chasing home the high-class Laurel at the Sunbury track when chanced at Listed level.

Richard Hughes’ Candle Of Hope blew away the cobwebs in the talkSPORT Spring Cup Stakes at Lingfield in March and is one of two runners for the King on coronation day, with Henry Candy’s Araminta completing the line up, thrown in at the deep end by her handler following an impressive display at Newbury on debut.

“It was one of those days at Newbury when you couldn’t really trust the results. It was really specialist ground and she coped with it well,” said Candy.

“I do think she is a nice filly, but I think the opposition is pretty strong and will have much more experience than her. We’re just dipping our toe in the water. There aren’t too many opportunities, so we thought we would give it a go.”

Flying Honours set for Dante after pleasing racecourse workout

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Charlie Appleby’s Betfred Derby contender Flying Honours tuned up for the Dante with a gallop before racing at Newmarket on Friday – but stablemate Imperial Emperor is not being pointed towards Epsom

Flying Honours will take in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai-sponsored York feature on May 18, a race Appleby won two years ago with Hurricane Lane, who went on to win the Irish Derby and St Leger.

The Sea The Stars colt worked with Yibir and Natural World, and Appleby liked what he saw.

“I’m delighted with that piece of work. At the end of the day, he has worked with no mug there in Yibir,” he said.

“We were intending to go to Sandown (Classic Trial) last week with Flying Honours, but that got rained off, and the plan now is that if he comes out of this piece of work well to head to York for the Dante.

“He has got a lovely profile stepping up to this middle-distance category this year. The Dante is the race that if you go and win afterwards you will probably be second-favourite for the Derby. At the end of the day it is one of the best trials.

William Buick with Military Order
William Buick with Military Order (PA)

“This horse will get a mile and a half no problem at all. He is a neat horse and has got enough racing experience under him now to head to a track like Epsom.

“Until you have been around there you can never hand on heart say you handle it, but I believe he has got enough race experience to go there and handle it fine.”

Stablemate Military Order, impressive at Newbury recently, will follow the same route as his brother Adayar by going for the Lingfield Derby Trial on May 13.

“I was very pleased with what I saw from Military Order at Newbury. People will say it was a slow time, but they weren’t going to be setting records in those conditions.

“I just loved his demeanour and the way that he galloped out. He has come out of it very well and is bred to win a Derby.”

Imperial Emperor was impressive on his only outing to date
Imperial Emperor was impressive on his only outing to date (Tim Goode/PA)

Appleby confirmed he intends to send Imperial Emperor to Royal Ascot and possibly the Irish Derby, rather than Epsom.

“I’ve just taken my time with Imperial Emperor. He is very closely related to Ghaiyyath and in his three-year-old career he met with a setback,” he said.

“It is always on my mind that he is a mile and a quarter to a mile and a half Dubawi and you just can’t push them. People will say that I did it with Coroebus, but that was different as he was a miler.

“Wholeheartedly, I would probably say I won’t be getting there with him. I would rather bring him along and we might end up going to Royal Ascot or the Irish Derby with him.

“He is a horse that I have high regard for, but one that we will look after along the way.”