Marshman ‘in great form’ ahead of top-class Duke of York

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Marshman is primed for a competitive renewal of the 1895 Duke of York Clipper Stakes on the opening day of the Dante meeting.

The Karl Burke-trained three-year-old began his season in the Group Three Prix Sigy at Chantilly in mid April, a race he won by a length and a quarter after a 205-day break.

The success resumed Marshman’s career after a good juvenile campaign that saw him take two novice events before finishing second in the Gimcrack when beaten by Godolphin’s Noble Style.

He now returns to the Knavesmire to take on the same course and distance in an intriguing Group Two event over six furlongs, having been working with Gimcrack third and recent Ascot winner Cold Case.

“He’s in great form at home, he’s been working well with Cold Case,” said Nick Bradley of owners Nick Bradley Racing.

“I wouldn’t say he’s in front or behind, it’s hard to say as they do everything on the bridle.”

Of his Gimcrack run last season he added: “If you look at the horses behind him, Cold Case was four lengths behind him, Royal Scotsman was six lengths behind.

“I think that was a really, really good race.”

Bradley reports the horse to have fared well following his Chantilly success, a race that has set him up nicely for his seasonal debut on British turf.

He said: “I was delighted with that performance, what I was impressed about was the way he accelerated away from the field – he put the race to bed really quickly.

“We expected him to get tired and he did, but he’s come out of the race really well and it should put him spot on for this.”

As well as Marshman, the Duke of York features the crack John Quinn-trained mare Highfield Princess, Australian ace The Astrologist and the Charlie Appleby-trained Creative Force.

Highfield Princess and Jason Hart in last year's Duke of York
Highfield Princess and Jason Hart in last year’s Duke of York (Tim Goode/PA)

Quinn reports his charge to be doing well, although her Group One burden will present a challenge.

Winner of this race 12 months ago, she went on to win the Prix Maurice de Gheest, Nunthorpe and Flying Five before ending her season with a creditable fourth at the Breeders’ Cup.

Quinn said: “She had a break after America, but she’s been back in a while.

“We’re pleased how she’s training but all of her life she’s been getting the mares’ allowance and now, with her Group One penalty, obviously she’s giving weight to colts – which won’t be easy.

“But we’re happy with her and it’s a great place to start off her season.”

Queen Anne the target for reappearance of Inspiral

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Inspiral will head straight to Royal Ascot after bypassing the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury.

The Group One-winning filly, trained by John and Thady Gosden, had topped the ante-post market for the Group One mile contest at the Berkshire track.

However, she was a surprise omission for the feature event at the confirmation stage on Monday.

Owned by Cheveley Park Stud, the daughter of Frankel won the Coronation Stakes and the Prix Jacques le Marois in her three-year-old campaign, adding to her success in the Fillies’ Mile as a juvenile.

While the Gosdens will instead be represented by Laurel, who is one of 16 possibles for the race won by the brilliant Baaeed last season, Inspiral will make a belated four-year-old debut.

Cheveley Park Stud’s managing director Chris Richardson explained: “There is no issue with her. Mrs Thompson was adamant that she wanted the filly to go straight to Royal Ascot, as we did last year.

“She looks great, but she is not quite there, is the general feeling. It is like last year, so rather than rush her, we decided to wait.

“It has been cold and miserable and it has just taken time for these fillies to come to themselves.

“We just felt she blossomed in June last year and we didn’t really want to rush her, so the Queen Anne will be her likely target.”

Mutasaabeq has eyes on Lockinge prize this weekend

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Mutasaabeq will bid to break his Group One duck in Saturday’s Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury, with connections confident his rivals “will have to go some to beat him”.

The Charlie Hills-trained five-year-old defied a penalty to beat last year’s Irish 2,000 Guineas winner Native Trail in the bet365 Mile, which was switched to Newmarket’s Guineas meeting after heavy rain forced Sandown’s card to be abandoned the previous week.

The Shadwell Estates-owned Mutasaabeq, who registered a fourth win at Rowley Mile course, was one of 16 horses confirmed for the Lockinge on Monday.

Angus Gold, Shadwell’s racing manager, believes his victory in the Joel Stakes last September in first-time blinkers showed improvement and the signs are that he will continue to progress.

“He goes to the Lockinge. It was a nice performance last time. It didn’t surprise me that he stayed on well, because he looked like he wanted that (a mile) before,” said Gold.

“Obviously, you don’t go into a race like that thinking you are going to beat a Guineas winner necessarily, but I was obviously really pleased with him.”

Winner of six of his 13 starts, Mutasaabeq seeks a hat-trick after back-to-back Group Two victories.

He could take on Ralph Beckett’s dual Group One winner Angel Bleu, Sun Chariot runner-up Laurel, Breeders’ Cup Mile winner Modern Games and Champion Stakes third My Prospero in what is shaping up to be an excellent renewal, although Inspiral is a notable absentee.

Gold feels match fitness should benefit the son of Invincible Spirit, adding: “All being well, if he turns up in the same sort of form he was at Newmarket, they will all have to go some to beat him.

“Certainly the early signs – and though it is only one run so far – are that his behaviour was much better. He is a much more mature and relaxed horse and he was heading very much the right way the other day.

“The blinkers certainly didn’t seem to do him any harm.”

Kingscote eager to get acquainted with Infinite Cosmos

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Richard Kingscote will partner leading Oaks contender Infinite Cosmos for the first time in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes at York.

Narrowly beaten by the reopposing Sea Of Roses on her Doncaster debut last season, the Sir Michael Stoute-trained filly rocketed to the head of ante-post lists for next month’s Epsom Classic following a runaway success on her reappearance at Newmarket earlier this month.

Ryan Moore was on board Infinite Cosmos on Town Moor and on her Rowley Mile return, but as he is required to ride Lambada for Aidan O’Brien in Wednesday’s Group Three contest, last season’s Derby-winning jockey Kingscote can look forward to being in the saddle on the Stoute runner.

He said: “She’s a nice filly who was impressive at Newmarket. Hopefully we will learn more this week.”

Infinite Cosmos is a hot favourite to enhance her Classic claims faced with seven rivals on the opening afternoon of York’s Dante Festival.

The Andrew Balding-trained Sea Of Roses beat her by a short head at Doncaster seven months ago and must be respected for the rematch after chasing home Andre Fabre’s Pensee Du Jour in a French Group Three on her comeback.

Gather Ye Rosebuds won by nine and a half lengths on her introduction at Newbury last month and is stepped up in class by fledgling trainer Jack Channon.

Novakai and Midnight Mile both bring quality juvenile form to the table for Yorkshire-based trainers Karl Burke and Richard Fahey having finished second in the Fillies’ Mile and fourth in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Fillies Turf respectively.

David Simcock’s once-raced Lingfield winner Empress Wu and John and Thady Gosden’s Soul Sister, who finished last of 12 in the Fred Darling at Newbury a few weeks ago, complete the field.

Tate eyeing Royal Ascot for juvenile pair

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James Tate will run exciting colt Blue Storm in the National Stakes at Sandown on Thursday week as he winds up his team for Royal Ascot.

Blue Storm, a son of Darley’s first-season sire Blue Point, looked a smart prospect when beating six rivals on debut in a five-furlong novice at Newmarket last month.

Newmarket trainer Tate also unveiled another potentially decent sprinter in the shape of Natural Force, a son of Land Force, who won a similar event at Ascot under Neil Callan on Saturday.

Both colts look set for the Royal meeting next month.

Tate said: “We were absolutely delighted with Natural Force. Hopefully we will have a couple of nice two-year-olds to go to war with this year – him and Blue Storm.

“Blue Storm hasn’t run for a while. We have saved him for the National Stakes a week on Thursday and if we’re lucky enough for all to go well in that, we will be off to Ascot afterwards.

“Natural Force, when you obviously win first time at Ascot, your immediate thought would be Royal Ascot. He is all good and we will have a chat with owner Saeed Manana.

“The only question is really whether he wants to go straight there or whether he will wants to take on something in the middle. The timescale is getting a little bit tighter.”

Tate was pleased that Natural Force gained some course experience, which is likely to stand him in good stead should he return for the Royal meeting.

He added: “He took the whole prelims and things well, because obviously Royal Ascot is a very exciting place for a two-year-old and we’ve had more than one been over-faced by it in the past.

“Neil (Callan) said he was very professional and very easy, and won with a bit in hand, so let’s hope he is right.

“I would have thought he will stay at five (furlongs), with the Windsor Castle for him and the Norfolk for Blue Storm.”

Royal Aclaim worked well on Sunday ahead of a possible Haydock run
Royal Aclaim worked well on Sunday ahead of a possible Haydock run (Nigel French/PA)

Meanwhile, Royal Aclaim, who won the Listed City Walls Stakes at York before finishing sixth to Highfield Princess in the Group One Nunthorpe at the same venue last summer, could head make her return at Haydock in a fortnight’s time.

“She galloped on Sunday morning and all was good,” said Tate. “I would have thought she would end up at Haydock the weekend after next.

“There is a six-furlong fillies’ Listed race, the Cecil Frail, on the Friday and and a five-furlong Group Two on the Saturday, the Temple Stakes. All being well, we’d like to get her back in one of those two races.

“Obviously, that would fit nicely for Royal Ascot afterwards, if all went well. We would like to try her over six furlongs at some stage. Whether we do it before Ascot or after Ascot I don’t know.”

Pont Aval highlights Killarney treble for Willie Mullins

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Pont Aval completed a near 102-1 treble for trainer Willie Mullins when taking the Tote Killarney National Handicap Chase under Sean O’Keeffe.

The Closutton handler had three chances in the three-and-a-quarter-mile feature, yet it was the outsider of the trio who struck at odds of 16-1.

In an race of changing complexions, Birchdale fell when upsides at the penultimate fence and as long-time leader Definite Plan faded, it looked like Rachael Blackmore, aboard Gateau De Miel, had the race at her mercy, only to tire approaching the last.

The 10-year-old mare Pont Aval, who had been pulled up on her previous start at Punchestown, came with a rattle and went away to win by seven lengths, giving her a first success over fences.

O’Keeffe said: “She jumped well and stayed going really well today. I was happy to get her jumping and travelling, and hopefully come home well with the light weight.

“They quickened turning in and I felt after the second last that a good jump at the last she would go and win her race. I’m delighted with her.

“She had some good runs over fences and things just happened fast for her at Punchestown the last day. She showed that she had a race like this in her and it’s great to get it.”

Paul Townend had earlier recorded a double for Mullins when dual Grade One-winning hurdler Saldier (7-4) took the Gerard O’Sullivan Memorial Novice Chase by a nose from Vina Ardanza, and Hauturiere (6-5) produced a stylish success on chasing debut, taking the Donie Sheahan Memorial Irish EBF Mares Beginners Chase by 10 lengths.

Saldier/Killarney
Saldier made a couple of mistakes but managed to get up on the line (Alan Magee/PA)a

Townend said of the latter: “It took her a while to get the hang of jumping hurdles but she jumped fences much better.

“I thought they went quite quick for what they were and I was happy to let it all happen in front of me. She came home well.

“I was at the pin of my collar at times and that to me said we were going a proper gallop.”

Mighty Tom came from last to first to claim the Listed Oyster Tavern Handicap Hurdle under a patient ride from Denis O’Regan to give trainer Cian Collins the biggest victory of his career thus far.

Doyen Ta Win, front-running winner of three handicaps in a row before defeat in a good conditions race, set out to make all the running again in the two-mile-one-furlong contest under Simon Torrens.

But when she tied up rapidly with two to jump, O’Regan seized his chance aboard the gelding, who had previously shown improved form on his stable debut when third to Seddon in a valuable Punchestown Festival handicap.

Mighty Tom
Mighty Tom gave Cian Collins a big win (Alan Magee/PA)

The result was never in doubt once the eight-year-old had flown the last and the 9-2 chance eased to a 10-length victory over favourite Magnor Glory.

Mighty Tom will now head to Galway and Collins said: “He’s a horse with any amount of ability. He’s had a few problems but we seem to have ironed them out now and hopefully he can keep going.

“We’ve changed the tactics with him and he’s more relaxed. Denis is the man for that job and gets on very well with him. It’s hard to watch but you have to let him at it.

“Denis said they flew, which probably suited him and he was able to stay on.

“He has loads of pace and stays the two miles very well. I’d say we’ll go for the Galway Hurdle now.

“That’s my biggest win and I’m from Kerry so it’s great to get it here.”

Shecouldbeanything/Killarney
Shecouldbeanything took the Mares Hurdle is good style (Alan Magee/PA)

Rapidly-improving mare Shecouldbeanything followed up her Punchestown Festival success with a second consecutive Listed victory when making virtually all the running in the Easyclean Tourist Attraction Mares Hurdle.

The Gordon Elliott-trained six-year-old had previously flashed her potential when finishing a close-up sixth in the Jack de Bromhead Mares’ Novices’ Hurdle at Cheltenham.

Having her seventh run since late November, the 4-1 shot showed plenty of guts under Donagh Meyler to first burn off last year’s winner Anna Bunina, then account for Walk With Paul, who jumped upsides at the last, the winner having briefly lost momentum when flattening the penultimate flight.

After her length success, the winning rider, who was deputising for sidelined regular pilot Jordan Gainford, said: “She did it well and is a hardy bit of stuff. I’m very grateful to be put up on her.

“She was headed after the second last but the harder it was, the tougher she dug in. She stuck out her head and should have a bright future.”

Persian Dreamer team deliberating Royal Ascot route

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Dominic Ffrench Davis believes the Clipper EBF Marygate Fillies’ Stakes at York could be the perfect spot for Persian Dreamer to tune up for the Queen Mary Stakes.

Owned by Amo Racing, the speedy daughter of Calyx knew exactly what was required at Newmarket on debut, racing prominently before surging to a three-and-a-quarter-length victory – a performance that saw her priced up as the 13-2 favourite with Unibet for the five-furlong dash at the Royal meeting.

Gilded (2006), Ceiling Kitty (2012) and Signora Cabello (2018) have all done the Marygate/Queen Mary double in the past but connections are still to decide what route Persian Dreamer will take to Ascot, with the option of heading straight to the Berkshire track also on the table for the €145,000 buy.

However, Ffrench David feels the opportunity to secure black type in the Listed contest before her main objective later in the summer is an attractive proposition, though the filly is also entered in a conditions event at Salisbury on Thursday.

He said: “She’s a very exciting filly and is a lovely, laid-back sort.

“She’s come out of her Newmarket run well and we’re just trying to decide whether we go for a novice, go for the Marygate or whether we go straight to the Queen Mary.

“I quite fancy the Marygate myself, that would be my preferred option. It would be nice to go to Royal Ascot having already got some black type and her value is cemented once she has black type.

“The race comes at just about the right time. There’s a nice space between Newmarket and the Marygate and then again a nice gap between the Marygate and Ascot.”

Ffrench Davis has enjoyed a fruitful start to the 2023 season aided by his link up with the Amo Racing operation and another exciting prospect for the trainer-owner combination is Maxident.

The gelded son of Nathaniel relished testing ground when romping to an emphatic 50-length triumph at Leicester on debut and although failing to follow up under a penalty in quicker conditions at Haydock, Ffrench Davis is toying with an entry for the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot if the ground came up soft.

“We do think he likes soft ground and to take those rivals on on quicker ground at Haydock was always going to be a struggle under a penalty,” the handler continued.

“But he’s come out of the race fine and we will be looking for somewhere with a bit of juice for him.

“He will definitely go further, I could see him getting one-mile-six very easily and he would probably stay two miles. If Ascot was to come up soft, then we wouldn’t be averse to an entry in something like the Queen’s Vase. But then if Ascot came up good to firm, we wouldn’t be going there.”

Blue Rose Cen blooms with Classic glory

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Blue Rose Cen further enhanced her tall reputation with a clear-cut success in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Pouliches at ParisLongchamp.

Christopher Head’s filly had won each of her three previous starts over the course and distance, including a Group One success in last season’s Prix Marcel Boussac on Arc weekend.

Having looked as good as ever on her reappearance in last month’s Prix de la Grotte, Blue Rose Cen was a hot favourite to provide her trainer with a first Classic win and delivered in style.

Ridden by Aurelien Lemaitre, the daughter of Churchill sat in the slipstream of the pacesetting Sauterne for much of the way before being asked for her effort in the straight.

The response was not immediate, with Blue Rose Cen taking a while to find top gear, but once she did she propelled herself clear of her rivals and was well on top at the line.

Lindy came through to beat Sauterne to the runner-up spot, with Aidan O’Brien’s Never Ending Story and the Karl Burke-trained Swingalong both unable to get involved in the finish.

Head said: “I don’t think that the magnitude of this success has sunk in yet. It’s really incredible.

“Blue Rose Cen is a filly I adore. I’ve been training her since she came to me, and she’s got tougher with time.”

Coral make Blue Rose Cen their 2-1 market leader to complete a Classic double in the French Oaks, the Prix de Diane, while Paddy Power have her as a 3-1 co-favourite alongside Andre Fabre’s Pensee Du Jour and John and Thady Gosden’s recent Newmarket victor Running Lion.

“The goal now is to go for the Prix de Diane Longines. Her pedigree suggests she will be able to go longer.

“We could have contemplated going for the Group One Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot, but it’s better to stick with the French programme.”

Lindy’s trainer Christophe Ferland is eager for a rematch in the 10-furlong Prix de Diane.

He said: “Only victory provides for the ultimate experience. Yet in the cold light of day, this second place feels just as good.

“Lindy is great. She finished second in the Prix de la Grotte, and today she did likewise in the Poule d’Essai des Pouliches.

“She is a genuine contender for the Prix de Diane. Tonight she will return to her box at Chantilly and we will prepare her calmly, and in a serene frame of mind, for the Prix de Diane. So see you in a month’s time at Chantilly!

“She is capable of winning a Group One race, of that I am sure.”

Never Ending Story could now step up in trip
Never Ending Story could now step up in trip (Brian Lawless/PA)

Never Ending Story was beaten five lengths in fifth and O’Brien could consider a step up in trip with her.

He said: “She ran a clean race. She’s a consistent filly.

“She produced a good finish and should be able to go longer, but, for the moment, nothing has been decided about where she goes next.”

Isaac Shelby edged out in French Guineas thriller

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Trainer Brian Meehan was left frustrated after Isaac Shelby had to make do with the runner-up spot behind shock winner Marhaba Ya Sanafi in the Emirates Poule d’Essai des Poulains at ParisLongchamp.

Winner of two of his three juvenile start last season, including the Group Two Superlative Stakes, Issac Shelby made an impressive reappearance in the Greenham at Newbury three weeks ago.

Meehan immediately ruled out a tilt at the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, instead electing to head for the French equivalent, and he was well fancied to claim Classic glory in the hands of Sean Levey.

The Night Of Thunder colt did little wrong and powered to the lead against the far rail in the straight, but was unable to resist the late surge of the widely unconsidered Marhaba Ya Sanafi.

While proud of his stable star’s performance, Meehan felt he was not seen to best effect.

Meehan said: “We were a bit frustrated by the lack of pace, especially in the first part of the race. It wasn’t fast enough for him, but he ran very well.

“I’m delighted for the horse, for his owner and for the team at home.

“He hasn’t shown the full extent of his talent yet. The best is yet to come, especially in races where there will be more pace.”

Brian Meehan will target Royal Ascot with Issac Shelby
Brian Meehan will target Royal Ascot with Issac Shelby (Mike Egerton/PA)

Meehan confirmed Isaac Shelby will now head for Royal Ascot, where he is entered in both the St James’s Palace Stakes and the Commonwealth Cup.

He added: “We are thinking of Royal Ascot, and in particular the St James’s Palace Stakes for him.”

Marhaba Ya Sanafi, trained by Andreas Schutz and ridden by Mickael Barzalona, was no match for American Flag in last month’s Prix de Fontainebleau, but turned the tables on the favourite, who failed to pick up for Christophe Soumillon and was ultimately a little disappointing in fourth place.

Schutz said: “I’m delighted. I was expecting a great performance from him but relative to finishing in the top five (rather than winning). I was also hoping for more rain.

“He had run well in the Prix de Fontainebleau and I had expected him to improve. The colt had worked well in the company of other of my horses, but I don’t necessarily have much to go on in the morning.

“I have won a lot of Classics in Germany, so I was able to have a calm outlook going into the race. It’s down to my experience!

“I have been in France for seven years and I hope that this victory will mark a new turning point in my career.

“The colt is entered in the Qatar Prix du Jockey-Club, which seems like the logical next step.”

Royal Ascot is next on the agenda for Breizh Sky
Royal Ascot is next on the agenda for Breizh Sky (David Davies/PA)

Royal Ascot is next on the agenda for third-placed Breizh Sky.

Trainer Alessandro Botti said: “It was great. Before the race I was still worried about the draw. But Maxime Guyon rode a great race.

“As things stand, he’s scheduled to go to Royal Ascot for a 1,400-metre race on the straight course. We will try to prepare him for that. It will depend on how the horse recovers.”

National winner Lucinda Russell to team up with Michael Scudamore

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Dual Grand National-winning trainer Lucinda Russell will join forces with Michael Scudamore on a joint licence in the summer.

Michael Scudamore will move his operation and most of his horses to Russell’s base in Scotland, with Scudamore’s brother, recently-retired jockey Tom, taking over Michael’s Herefordshire base, which will become a satellite and pre-training yard for the jumps operation.

Russell’s assistant and partner, eight-times champion jockey Peter Scudamore, is relishing the prospect of expanding the family-run operation.

“I find it quite awe-inspiring what we are doing,” said Scudamore, father of Tom and Michael.

“Lucinda put it so well that the key to it all is in our attention to the horses and in particular with the time spent seeing them at home and sourcing them at the sales.

“I feel we need to continue to concentrate on what we are good at and we kind of get dragged away from it sometimes.

“We’ll have Michael and Thomas, and the people already within the yard, like Blair Campbell, who is an ex-jockey, Cameron Wadge and Jamie Duff who are our assistants, who have been quite brilliant.

“But they need to continue their roles.

“So we have thought about it and Michael will join us in Scotland. We’ll use Arlary and Kilduff as the main yards, while adding the facility of a satellite yard at Eccleswall Court near Ross-on-Wye, as a pre-training yard.

Tom Scudamore will head the satellite yard in Herefordshire (
Tom Scudamore will head the satellite yard in Herefordshire (Jeff Holmes/PA)

“Michael can go racing and do a lot of the travelling, and I find the advantage of racing in the north is that the ground is softer in the early season and we can get our horses out and running.

“Then we can take some things down south after that. That’s what we intend to do.

“Therefore Thomas can look after the satellite. It needs upgrading. The gallops and stuff are very good, but some of the boxes need upgrading and we need some investment into the yard. We will get that sorted out.

“I’m pleased for the boys. I’m not getting any younger and they will have to buck themselves up.

“We have to sort out the licence now and that is what we are pushing forward to do. We hope to have that in place by June.”

Last month’s Randox Grand National win with Corach Rambler – a second following One For Arthur’s success in 2017 – helped Russell to a personal best of 71 wins in the 2022-23 jumps season. Her horses earned over £1.5million in prize money, good enough to propel her to sixth in the trainer’s championship.

Ahoy Senor added to Russell's personal-best tally last season
Ahoy Senor added to Russell’s personal-best tally last season (Tim Goode/PA)

Other highlights included Apple Away winning the Grade One Sefton Novices’ Hurdle at Aintree, Ahoy Senor taking the Cotswold Chase at Cheltenham and Corach Rambler winning the Ultima Chase for a second consecutive season at Cheltenham.

Michael Scudamore is expected to take around 20 horses north of the border, although Tom Scudamore says local southern owners will still have horses at the Herefordshire base.

Tom Scudamore suffered concussion in a fall at Chepstow in early February and following another spill, he announced his immediate retirement later that month and is now looking forward to the next chapter in his career.

He said: “To be honest, I was more than a bit groggy when I coming back in at Chepstow. I hadn’t a clue where I was.

“But that was then, this is now and it is an exciting venture. We’re all really looking forward to it.

“We’ve all done our own thing and we’ve all had our own success and I’m excited about doing it all together.

Michael Scudamore will be on the joint-licence with Russell
Michael Scudamore will be on the joint licence with Russell (Mike Egerton/PA)

“The success that Dad and Lucinda have had over the last year and also the success that Michael’s had, I just think they will balance each other.

“It is really exciting for all parties involved and I think it just shows you the desire and the ambition of us all that we want to build on what we have achieved and become even more successful.

“We will still have room for local owners and people who don’t want to send their horses to Scotland. It just acts as a base for it, but the hub of the operation will be in Kinross and it just means we can take on the world.

“They have the horses to come down south now. They had winners from all over the country last year and now they have the horses to take everywhere.

“It is not a case of bringing them down and stabling them at racecourses overnight – they can come down, have a week freshening up or whatever, because they have the horses to run at the major southern tracks and take everybody on.

“It just ticks all the boxes and makes perfect sense.”