Saga and Hope aiming to crown racing’s coronation celebrations

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Coronation fever heads to the racecourse on Saturday where only a few hours after the King is crowned in Westminster Abbey, two runners will attempt to carry his colours to a fitting success.

It had been hoped the King would have a runner in the 2000 Guineas in scenes reminiscent of 1953 when, just days after her coronation, the late Queen’s Aureole took part in the Derby at Epsom.

However, the John and Thady Gosden-trained Slipofthepen will instead be aimed at the French version of the one-mile Classic with hopes of a coronation winner resting on Clarehaven’s Saga in Newmarket’s Howden Suffolk Stakes and Richard Hughes’ Candle Of Hope, who will bid for Listed honours in the William Hill Conqueror Fillies’ Stakes at Goodwood.

Candle Of Hope before the Denford Stakes at Newbury last year
Candle Of Hope before the Denford Stakes at Newbury last year (Steve Paston/PA)

The daughter of Cable Bay was beaten less than two lengths in her reappearance at Lingfield and John Warren, racing manager to the King and Queen, is hoping the stars will align and add to the coronation celebrations.

He said: “Candle Of Hope is a tough, genuine filly who will probably be at her best when the ground is quick.

“Their majesties will obviously be overwhelmed with events, but they are fully aware of what their horses are doing.

“All we can hope is that we get a little luck that could add to a wonderfully historic weekend.”

The King and the Queen Consort watch the action at Royal Ascot
The King and the Queen Consort watch the action at Royal Ascot (Aaron Chown/PA)

Saga, meanwhile, came close to providing the late Queen with a final Royal Ascot victory when beaten a head in the Britannia Stakes in the summer and will attempt to go one better when he reunites with Frankie Dettori for the competitive Rowley Mile handicap at 3.55pm.

“He went very close in the Britannia and has always been a horse with plenty of ability,” said Thady Gosden.

“Stepping up in trip on his last start of last year he ran well, he wasn’t beaten a long way and he seems to have done well over the winter.

“He’s been gelded since and it’s a fairly sharp one-mile-one at Newmarket. Obviously it is a very competitive field and there’s a couple of near enough Group horses in there, so we will have to see how he gets on.”

Tahiyra stars as 20 fillies declared for 1000 Guineas

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Tahiyra will attempt to maintain her unbeaten record as she takes on 19 rivals in Sunday’s Qipco 1000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Trained by Dermot Weld and owned by the Aga Khan, Tahiyra went straight from winning her maiden into Group One company for the Moyglare Stud Stakes and was an impressive two-and-a-quarter-length winner.

Back in second that day was Aidan O’Brien’s Meditate and the two will clash again.

O’Brien’s filly 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.

Waipiro seeking to book Derby ticket with Newmarket victory

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Ed Walker’s Waipiro will look to secure his Derby place on Friday, as he returns to the Rowley Mile for the Newmarket Stakes.

The three-year-old has an eyecatching pedigree as he is by Australia and out of London Plane, the same dam who produced the Hong Kong superstar Waikuku – three times a Group One winner at Sha Tin.

Waipiro, who runs in the same silks, made his debut in a Kempton novice in December and finished sixth of 13 runners from a wide draw.

He demonstrated considerable progression in his seasonal comeback at the Craven meeting a fortnight ago, cruising to an impressive win the bet365 British EBF “Confined” Novice Stakes.

Winning by three and a half lengths over 10 furlongs from Karl Burke’s Liberty Lane, the bay now returns to the same track for a course and distance repeat at Listed level.

Waipiro (second left) winning the bet365 British EBF “Confined” Novice Stakes
Waipiro (second left) winning the bet365 British EBF “Confined” Novice Stakes (Tim Good/PA)

“He came out of his win at the Craven meeting very well. I would have loved another week or so before going into a race like this in an ideal world, but there’s no reason not to run as he’s put the weight back on and he’s fresh and well,” Walker said.

“The reason for going here was that he handles the track and the trip won’t be an issue. We want to find out sooner or later if he is a horse who could be lining up at Epsom, so really he needs to be winning this in order to do so.

“I worry that Chester and Lingfield could be quite soft ground, but I think the ground will be perfect for him tomorrow. He’s not in the Dante so via a process of elimination we’ve ended up here, but it does seem like the right move given how well he won last time.

“It was very impressive, if you were trying to take the gloss off it you could say that the first two home sat first and second the whole way and nothing else had a chance to get into it. It wasn’t the most truly run of races, but he couldn’t have done it any better. I know Karl Burke thinks a lot of his horse, who was carrying a penalty.”

Waipiro holds an entry for the premier Classic and so this race represents a crucial test of his ability, one he must pass if he is to head to Epsom in June.

“I think it was, all in all, a good performance. He’s got to take another step forwards, he took a big step forwards from his debut and he’s got to take another tomorrow,” Walker said.

“We think he’s nice and we left him in the Derby for a reason, so let’s hope he can justify that decision.”

The King and Queen Consort have a runner in Sir Michael Stoute’s Circle Of Fire, an impressive three-and-a-quarter-length victor in a Salisbury novice at the back end of last season.

John Warren, racing manager to the royals, said of the homebred Almanzor colt: “Circle Of Fire has been pleasing Sir Michael in his work and Ryan (Moore) has been complimentary having sat on him a few times.

“This is his first test in stakes company so it is going to be very interesting to see what level he is up to.”

Ralph Beckett’s Salt Bay heads the market, and was a winner on debut at Haydock in September and then a Group One third when contesting the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud the following month.

He will be joined by the Godolphin duo of Castle Way and Victory Dance – both trained by Charlie Appleby.

Castle Way was triumphant last time out in a nursery handicap, whereas Victory Dance is a Listed winner who signed off last season with a third-placed effort behind Nostrum in the Group Three Tattersalls Stakes.

Victory Dance at Newbury
Victory Dance at Newbury (Steven Paston/PA)

“Castle Way brings good course experience, having ended his campaign with a nice win on the Rowley Mile, and goes into the race in good order,” Appleby said via the Godolpin website.

“The trip is not a concern at all and we will potentially be stepping up further in distance after this.

“Victory Dance showed a high level of form as a two-year-old. This is a big step up from seven to 10 furlongs but it is something that we feel he will appreciate based on his work at home. He could be an interesting horse over this distance.”

James Ferguson is represented by Farhh colt Like A Tiger and Andrew Balding’s Relentless Voyager and Richard Hannon’s Forca Timao complete the field.

Gather Ye Rosebuds aiming to bloom in Classic trial

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Jack Channon will fire Gather Ye Rosebuds at a Classic trial following her deeply impressive debut win at Newbury.

The Zoffany filly blitzed 15 rivals in a 10-furlong fillies’ maiden under Connor Beasley, romping to a nine-and-a-half-length success in soft ground.

Now the West Ilsley handler is looking to set her sights a little higher, after her surprise 33-1 success.

“She has come out of the race really well and she looks fantastic,” said Channon. “I’m really happy with the way she is progressing.

“We will probably have a look at one of the Oaks trials, maybe Lingfield (on Saturday week) or Newbury (Fillies’ Trial Stakes, May 20), I would have thought, in a couple of weeks’ time.

“She is in great form and we will aim her at one of those, I should think.”

Channon, who is in his first season with a training licence after taking over from his father, former Southampton and England international striker Mick Channon, was taken aback by the manner with which Gather Ye Rosebuds put her rivals to the sword.

He added: “I was surprised by what she did, but if you are expecting a horse to go and do that first time, then only Sir Henry (Cecil), when he had Frankel, could expect that!

“I expected her to run a nice race and I’d thought she would come on for the run. She seems to have done and we hope she is very nice.”

Crisfords hoping West can be best at Newmarket

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The progressive West Wind Blows will take on a quartet of rivals in the Jockey Club Stakes, with Ed Crisford mindful he needs to settle to show his best at Newmarket on Friday.

The four-year-old takes on the might of triple Group One winner Hurricane Lane and Godolphin’s second string, recent Meydan Group Two scorer Global Storm, in the 10-furlong contest.

Yet Crisford, who trains in partnership with his father Simon, is confident this outing will bring on West Wind Blows for what promises to be a “fun” summer campaign for the Abdulla Al Mansoori-owned Teofilo colt.

“He ran in the Derby then won a Listed race at Hamilton and won well. It all went wrong a little bit at Goodwood in the Gordon Stakes, but then he did progress,” said Crisford.

Dropped back to 10 furlongs in the Prix du Prince d’Orange at ParisLongchamp in September, he gained the third success in his six-race career before finding a couple of talented rivals too good in the Prix Dollar over the same course and distance in very soft ground a month later.

Crisford added: “He settled a lot better and won well in Paris when he won the Group Three, and then stepped up again on ground that wouldn’t suit him as much as a sounder surface and he got beaten again by two very good horses that day – Owen Burrows’ horse Anmaat and Andre Fabre’s Junko.”

West Wind Blows holds entries that include both the Coronation Cup at Epsom and the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he is versatile over 10 furlongs and is not ground dependent.

“We always thought that a mile and a half, if he could settle, would be a good trip for him,” said Crisford.

“He seems to have grown up with racing last year and through the winter this year.

“He has strengthened nicely into his four-year-old year. The Jockey Club is close to home and it is a small field, although very competitive, but it just seems a nice starting point for him.

“I think he is quite versatile in regards to ground, although I do think a sound surface would be better. He is a good-moving horse, but if he can settle, I think he can be a lot of fun for us over the summer.

“I think we will just have to see how he gets on before we make any decisions. It is his first run of the year and we have to take it from there.”

Charlie Appleby has two runners in the blue silks of Godolphin, with both Global Storm and Hurricane Lane lining up.

Hurricane Lane winning the St Leger
Hurricane Lane winning the St Leger (Mike Egerton/PA)

The latter horse is a three-time Group One winner with an Irish Derby, Grand Prix de Paris and St Leger under his belt, but he has not been successful since Doncaster in 2021 and was last of seven when last seen in the John Porter.

“Hurricane Lane was disappointing at Newbury. The ground was very testing that day and he was racing on the back of a long layoff,” the trainer told www.godolphin.com

“William (Buick) felt that he got very tired in the last couple of furlongs. From what we have seen at home, he has come out of the race very well.

“We have applied the cheekpieces to hopefully encourage some more enthusiasm.”

Of his other runner he added: “Global Storm is a good, solid horse and has proven in the past that he can be competitive in this calibre of race.”

Archie Watson’s internationally-campaigned Outbox is set to contest the race after finishing third in it last season, with Rae Guest’s Jewel In My Crown completing the field of five.

Light Infantry ready to launch 2023 campaign at Newmarket

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David Simcock marches into battle for the bet365 Mile at Newmarket on Friday with a definite plan for Light Infantry.

A progressive three-year-old last term, Light Infantry makes his seasonal debut against four rivals, who include last season’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail and Group Two winner Mutasaabeq, in the event rescheduled from Sandown last week.

Should all go well, Simcock will send the son of Fast Company to the Lockinge at Newbury, followed by the Queen Anne at Royal Ascot.

Light Infantry earned his stripes in top-class races last term, finishing a close-up runner-up in both the Prix Jean Prat and Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville.

He subsequently went to Australia and raced for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace when finishing sixth in the Golden Eagle at Rosehill in October, picking up £94,000 in prize-money.

“He progressed with every run last year.” said the Newmarket handler. “His two races in France were very good.

“He probably didn’t run to his best in Australia, but it was a long time between his races and if we had that time again, we’d have done things slightly differently.

“We are very happy with him and he is obviously a very talented horse.

“A lot depends on how the race pans out and how ready each individual horse is. Native Trail is the Irish Guineas winner from last year and on ratings, there isn’t a lot between two or three of these, so much depends on how it pans out.

“He has wintered well. He doesn’t look a lot different to me, really – much the same as last year. He is training well and he’s pleasing in that respect.

“If all goes well, he’ll be in the Lockinge and then we’ll head to the Queen Anne.”

Native Trail has not been seen since his fifth place in the Juddmonte International at York in August, but he still sets the standard in terms of form – particularly over the Rowley Mile.

“Native Trail is coming off a decent layoff but I have been pleased with his work,” trainer Charlie Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

Native Trail winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas
Native Trail winning the Irish 2,000 Guineas (Brian Lawless/PA)

“He is proven over the Rowley Mile, having won a Dewhurst and a Craven as well as finishing second in a 2000 Guineas, so we have no excuses in terms of the track.

“He goes into this in good shape and we are looking forward to seeing him back over a mile.”

Charlie Hills applied headgear to Mustaabeq on his final run last term, and it had the desired effect, with the son of Invincible Spirit landing the fifth victory of his 12-race career, over course and distance in the Group Two Joel Stakes.

He said: “We put the blinkers on his last time and that seemed to work – just to help him concentrate, really. We put them on him a few days ago and it did the trick all right.

Mutasaabeq will have to shoulder a penalty in the bet 365 Mile
Mutasaabeq will have to shoulder a penalty in the bet 365 Mile (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“It’s a small field and he’s won at the track before, but it’s not going to be easy. There are some good horses in the race and he’s got a 3lb penalty.

“The plan is the Lockinge after that if all goes well.”

William Knight’s Checkandchallenge, who ended last season with a two-and-half-length defeat by Bayside Boy in the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot, and Andrew Balding’s Imperial Fighter complete the quintet.

Sandy Lane option open for Commonwealth contender Cold Case

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Cold Case will be handed a Commonwealth Cup berth by Karl Burke after his scintillating victory at Ascot on Wednesday.

The three-year-old son of Showcasing took the Group Three British Racing School 40th Anniversary Commonwealth Cup Trial Stakes by a length and a half on his seasonal debut.

Clifford Lee’s mount was always to the fore in the six-furlong event and completed a hat-trick, having already landed two valuable prizes at Doncaster and Redcar at the back-end of last season.

Cold Case could now have a run in the Group Two Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock on May 26 – a race the Leyburn yard won last year with El Caballo – before his Group One engagement at Royal Ascot.

Burke said: “We were delighted with that. He is a lovely horse and hopefully we can get him to win at a higher grade as well and get him a stallion’s job with a bit of luck.

“He is a lovely stamp of a horse. I would imagine he will go for the Sandy Lane, then the Commonwealth. If for any reason he doesn’t make the Sandy Lane, he will go straight to the Commonwealth.

“Ascot is not an easy track to make all, but he’s a horse who will stay further and stay seven (furlongs), I think. Certainly he’ll get another 100 yards and he’s an exciting horse for the future.”

Newmarket watering ahead of Guineas meeting

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Officials at Newmarket have begun watering to maintain the ground ahead of the three-day Qipco Guineas meeting which begins on Friday.

The changing forecast and a dry morning on the Rowley Mile prompted clerk of the course Michael Prosser to rethink plans as he bids to provide perfect conditions ahead of the first two Classics of the season.

The going is currently described as good to firm, good in places.

Michael Prosser has started watering the Rowley Mile course
Michael Prosser has started watering the Rowley Mile course (Tim Goode/PA)

“We have just lightly watered the final eight furlongs, which is the quickest part of the course,” Prosser said at noon on Thursday.

“The forecast has changed, basically. At this time yesterday, we were forecast rain first thing in the morning and obviously into the afternoon, so that forecast now advises those showers will be coming later.

“There is a 50 per cent chance of a shower, but it is a much lower percentage, and then the chance of a heavier shower is basically from midday through to 5pm, with between one millimetre and 10mm of rain.

“We have put down 4mm to maintain the position. The final eight furlongs is all but done. The plan was to get it done by midday and then we’ll cut the course later, ready for three days of racing.”

The 2000 Guineas is the feature on an eight-race Saturday card, and while the forecast is unsettled, Prosser is hoping it may remain dry during racing.

Prosser added: “Even the Saturday forecast has changed and the volumes don’t look as significant, although there is a more organised band of rain coming through mid-morning Saturday through to lunchtime.

“What we’re being told this morning is that there might be a dry interlude during racing, which will be really helpful if that is how it unfolded.

“That piece of rain will total 4mm on Saturday if it comes through. Then there is a chance of a shower later in the day on Saturday.

“On Sunday, our meteorologists, Weatherquest, are still advising that there is a much lower percentage chance of a lighter shower on Sunday. It could well stay dry.”

He added: “The Qipco 2000 Guineas looks a cracking race and it is a really good card to be honest, with 116 decs.

“You have to be pleased with that. Let’s hope the weather is kind and they all stay in, that’s the main thing.”

Betfred unveiled as new St Leger sponsor

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Betfred has been named the sponsor of a third British Classic after sealing a new multi-year deal to back the St Leger at Doncaster.

The bookmaker was last month unveiled as the new backer of both the Derby and Oaks at Epsom, with Fred Done’s firm adding the world’s oldest Classic to its portfolio in a partnership announced on Thursday.

The four-day Betfred St Leger Festival will run from September 14-17 inclusive, with the title sponsor supporting a number of the key races across the meeting including the May Hill Stakes, Doncaster Cup, Champagne Stakes and Park Stakes.

David Egan wearing the famous St Leger cap after winning the race last year
David Egan wearing the famous St Leger cap after winning the race last year (Tim Goode/PA)

Doncaster was granted city status as part of Queen Elizabeth II’s Platinum Jubilee celebrations in 2022 which will be commemorated with the renamed Betfred City of Doncaster Handicap, run on the final day of the fixture.

Having first been run in 1776, the St Leger is the final leg of the Triple Crown, with no horse since the great Nijinsky in 1970 following up 2000 Guineas and Derby wins with victory on Town Moor.

Done, said: “To have the Betfred name attached to the St Leger Festival is not just a sponsorship but a privilege. I am proud to be associated with the world’s oldest Classic which is obviously synonymous with great horses like Triple Crown winner Nijinsky, Dunfermline for the Queen and Oh So Sharp for Sir Henry Cecil.”

Nijinsky was the last Triple Crown winner in 1970
Nijinsky was the last Triple Crown winner in 1970 (PA)

Martin Cruddace, chief executive of Doncaster’s owner Arena Racing Company, added: “We are absolutely delighted to welcome Betfred as the headline sponsors of the St Leger Festival and of the Betfred St Leger itself.

“Fred Done and his team have long been keen supporters of British racing, and the inclusion of this historic race meeting into their sponsorship portfolio is another indication of their commitment to the sport.

“The whole sport is extremely fortunate to benefit from working in partnership with Fred and his team and we very much look forward to a fantastic Betfred St Leger Festival in September.”

Pyledriver preparing for Hardwicke return at Royal Ascot

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Pyledriver has been handed a pair of Ascot objectives for when he makes his return to the track later this summer.

William Muir and Chris Grassick’s stable star was last sighted winning the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Stakes at the Berkshire track last July, but has been on the sidelines since.

He was being prepared for a tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe when he suffered an injury and with a trip to Paris ruled out, sights were set on Meydan and an attempt at bettering the Dubai Sheema Classic fourth Pyledriver achieved in the spring of 2022.

A further setback early in the year once again curtailed those plans with connections fearing the final chapter for their seven-time scorer may have already been written.

However, Grassick reports he is now back training well and being prepared for the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot before moving on to a defence of his King George title at the track in July.

He said: “He’s cantering back and William has done the entry for the Hardwicke, so that’s the plan.

“Touch wood, everything is looking lovely, he looks great and strong.

“I think from there we would be going to the King George and after that it would be just how he comes out of each race. He remains in good form and hopefully if he remains as good as last year, then we will have a big year again.

“He’s slowly becoming a bit of a fan favourite. He’s developing a bit of a following now because he comes back year in, year out, so hopefully he can keep going and get the results he deserves both for himself and the owners.”