Tag Archive for: Andrew Balding

The Foxes foils White Birch for Dante glory

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The Foxes took a muddling Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes at York that left the Betfred Derby market in something of a flux.

The Andrew Balding-trained, King Power-owned Churchill colt was given a polished ride by Oisin Murphy, who was happy to sit off a well-contest pace early on from his good draw in stall two.

Liberty Lane, Killybegs Warrior and Dancing Magic helped set a decent clip, with Craven Stakes runner-up The Foxes (6-1) travelling sweetly in mid-division.

Murphy decided to switch left with a furlong to run and he quickened nicely to score by a neck from White Birch, who came from last to first under Shane Foley.

Aidan O’Brien’s Continuous was produced with a promising run but did not quite seem to get home and dead-heated for third with Sir Michael Stoute’s once-raced Passenger, who looked unlucky with jockey Richard Kingscote unable to find a gap when it mattered. He ran on well once finding daylight.

The Foxes was cut to a general 8-1 for Epsom glory.

Balding said: “He did a bit of meandering across the track. He’s a very good horse, it looked a deep Dante today.

“He’s very professional, he was the most beautiful yearling and he’s been a star to train so far.

“You’d have to think Epsom is the next step as long as you take the usual caveats into account, it comes close enough for example, but if he comes out of it well I think we’d have to give it a go.

“The way he’s hit the line there he’d give himself every chance of getting the trip, it didn’t look like he was stopping at the end there to me.

“I think the main thing is he’d give himself every chance of staying because of his demeanour.”

Balding would not be winning the premier Classic out of turn should The Foxes prevail, after recent near-misses with Khalifa Sat and Hoo Ya Mal.

He added: “We’ve gone close in the Derby a few times, but I think he’d be the best chance we’ve had going there as both Hoo Ya Mal (runner-up last year) and Khalifa Sat (second in 2020) were big prices.

“His half-brother Bangkok went there after winning this well fancied, but he ran poorly. We always thought he’d stay, but he was a real 10-furlong horse.

“I think he’ll stay as his dam got a mile and a half well.”

Murphy said: “That was fantastic. I ride for a great stable and this fella was really well prepared at home.

“He’s easy to ride, he relaxes and then he’s able to show that turn of foot. He has all the attributes of a top-quality horse.

“We didn’t go crazy, but rolled along – I hope it’s a good trial for the big races to come. I won this five years ago on Roaring Lion, and on Telecaster, and I hope it’s a good pointer to the Derby.

“I hope he’s a good Derby ride, he relaxes, he’s a beautiful mover and hopefully he’ll stay.

“He gives himself a chance of staying, but he is a fast horse. It’s exciting.”

King’s Lynn just misses out on royal victory at Chester

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Nymphadora denied the King and Queen a first winner since their coronation as stablemate King’s Lynn had to make do with the runner-up spot in the CAA Stellar Handicap at Chester.

King’s Lynn has mixed at the very highest level in the sprinting division, last season winning the Group Two Temple Stakes at Haydock before contesting both the King’s Stand and the Platinum Jubilee Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Dropping back into a handicap for the first time in over two years, the six-year-old was a 5-2 favourite to carry the royal colours to victory on the Roodee under Ryan Moore, but he was ultimately unable to reel in his fellow Andrew Balding-trained runner Nymphadora.

The latter was a 3-1 shot to bounce back from a disappointing start to her campaign at Bath last month and did just that in the hands of Oisin Murphy, finding enough when challenged by King’s Lynn to prevail by a length.

Nymphadora after winning at Chester
Nymphadora after winning at Chester (Neil Morrice/PA)

Anna Lisa Balding, the trainer’s wife, said: “The lad who rides Nymphadora said she was in the form of her life, and there’s a fresh strip of ground which encouraged us she would handle it.

“John Warren (King and Queen’s racing manager) said Ryan would ride King’s Lynn and it was great to have Oisin, who is riding with such confidence. It’s good to have him back in the team.

“It didn’t happen for this filly at Bath but we put a line through it and started again. All being well she will go direct to Royal Ascot now.”

Balding and Murphy doubled up in the TMT Group Handicap with 9-4 favourite City Streak.

The four-year-old had been placed three times since his latest win at Wolverhampton in July, most recently finishing third on his first start of 2023 at Chelmsford.

In what was a rough race around Chester’s tight turns, City Streak moved up menacingly early in the straight and hung under pressure, but it was not enough to stop him winning by a neck from Dark Pine.

“Oisin is very aware that you can get buffeted around here – he rode a fine race,” said winning owner Lord Blyth.

“His dam is the same as Quickthorn and this horse has exactly the same rating Quickthorn did on this day last year.

“Quickthorn ran a good race in Dubai and goes for the Yorkshire Cup next week.”

Chaldean in good shape after Guineas heroics

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Qipco 2000 Guineas winner Chaldean has taken his exertions at Newmarket on Saturday in his stride, according to connections.

The son of Frankel powered through rain-softened ground to land the mile Classic on what was, in effect, his three-year-old debut.

Having unshipped Frankie Dettori coming out of the stalls and running loose on his intended prep in the Greenham at Newbury, the frustration turned to delight for the 52-year-old Italian, who was riding in his 29th and final renewal of the race.

Having kept things simple, always close to the pace, Chaldean was sent for home early and never looked like he would be challenged once runner-up Hi Royal had started to empty.

It was a fourth success in the race for Dettori and a second in four years for trainer Andrew Balding, who had struck with Kameko in 2020.

Twelve years after the mighty Frankel had carried the famous Juddmonte green, pink and white colours to success in the race, his son took the laurels by a length and three-quarters.

European racing manager for the operation, Barry Mahon, said any celebrations were muted.

“The head’s not too bad. We had to go racing on Sunday, so the celebrations couldn’t be too extravagant, but hopefully there will be time to celebrate at some point,” he said. “Hopefully we’re not finished yet. We have a few more chances along the way.”

Chaldean will remain over a mile and head to the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot for his next start, with Paddy Power making him the 4-5 favourite to triumph in the Group One showpiece on June 20.

“He’s taken it well, he’s good,” added Mahon. “Andrew was happy with him when I spoke to him yesterday. He said he was quite tired on Sunday, but he said yesterday morning he was in good form again.

“The ground was very soft, yet on the Friday meeting, it was good to firm. They watered the ground in case the showers missed.

“I stayed the far side of the town and on Friday night, I promise you, there was a monsoon.

“The next morning I was talking to (trainer) David Simcock, who was on the racecourse side of town and he said they had rain, but nothing extravagant – a couple of millimetres. It is such a funny area.

“But he handled the ground, although it wouldn’t be his ideal conditions.”

Fabulous Frankie begins farewell tour with Guineas glory

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No one does Hollywood scripts quite like Frankie Dettori, but even by his standards winning aboard Chaldean on his final ride in the Qipco 2000 Guineas was something out of a fairytale.

It is almost five months since the 52-year-old announced that 2023 would be the year he will bring the curtain down on the most glittering of riding careers that has spanned nearly four decades.

Dettori has won just about every big race going in every corner of the globe during that time, but Newmarket has for so long been the place he calls home, so if this is to be his final Classic success, it was a fitting place to do it.

“I’m not dreaming am I? I’m feeling everything,” he said afterwards.

“It is just so surreal. I feel like I’m dreaming. It is a bit dark, like your dreams are. Emotionally, it is my last one and to win it is amazing. Now it is sinking in and the tears are coming.”

As the winner of last season’s Dewhurst Stakes, the Andrew Balding-trained Chaldean had an obvious chance of giving the popular Italian a fourth 2000 Guineas success.

Admittedly his season got off to an inauspicious start, with Dettori unceremoniously dumped on the Newbury turf not long after the gates opened in the Greenham Stakes a fortnight ago, but as he so often has over the years, Dettori got it right on the day that mattered most.

Frankie Dettori and Chaldean return to the Newmarket winner's enclosure
Frankie Dettori and Chaldean return to the Newmarket winner’s enclosure (Nigel French/PA)

He added: “After what happened at Newbury I thought ‘at least stay on this time’!

“Andrew always had faith in the horse and he’s done nothing wrong. He doesn’t overdo himself in the morning and the rain didn’t bother me. The only thing I was bothered about was that perhaps I didn’t have anything to race with.”

Never too far off the pace, Chaldean made light of the testing conditions and once he had seen off the sustained challenge of 125-1 shot Hi Royal, it was clear Dettori’s mount had the race in safe keeping.

The grey Suffolk skies ensured most in attendance got a good soaking, but that did not stop the majority hotfooting it to the winner’s enclosure to give the rider a deserved rapturous reception, after which he treated them to his trademark flying dismount.

Dettori might have been there, done it and got the t-shirt, but he was left fighting back the tears in the immediate aftermath.

He said: “Let me savour the moment. My emotions are all over the place. I don’t know whether I want to cry or laugh.

“I thought I had a chance, but when I crossed that line my emotions were all over the place.

“I’m happy and I want to cry. My son is here and my wife is watching at home. Of course it’s my last one and winning it makes it sweeter.

“I couldn’t have written a better story myself. It’s very special and I’m looking forward to watching it again and reliving the moment.”

Chaldean presents Dettori with final 2000 Guineas strike

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Frankie Dettori won the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Chaldean on what was his final ride in the Classic.

The Italian is retiring at the end of the current season and knew he had one more shot at glory in the historic race, to add to his three previous victories in the mile contest.

Never far from the pace, Chaldean (7-2) took a lead off Hi Royal who was just about still in front when he veered across the track, which enabled Dettori to forge into the lead.

The Andrew Balding-trained winner had to dig deep, but he eventually came home a length-and-three-quarter winner from 125-1 shot Hi Royal. Royal Scotsman (11-1) was third with 150-1 chance Galeron in fourth.

Auguste Rodin was sent off the 13-8 favourite but was never travelling for Ryan Moore and trailed home well beaten.

With rain falling throughout the day, the ground had turned soft and the likes of Little Big Bear and Sakheer, who had to prove their stamina, drifted markedly in the betting.

On the other hand Chaldean was well supported, from 5-1 to 7-2 and Dettori always looked comfortable.

Hi Royal briefly gave him something to think about and really stretched the field, with all bar the winner and Royal Scotsman treading water.

Chaldean strode out purposefully, though, to give Balding a second 2000 Guineas success after Kameko in 2020. The famous Juddmonte colours were last carried to glory by the brilliant Frankel, Chaldean’s sire, in 2011.

Dettori said: “I was in a fight with Oisin (Murphy on Hi Royal) and once I got rid of him, I thought ‘I’m sure something is going to come’, but I saw plenty of daylight.

“I can’t believe it’s happened really. My last (2000) Guineas, to win it in front of my home crowd, amazing.

“Winning Classics is difficult. It’s my last season and to cap it off with a Classic is beyond my wildest dreams.”

Balding said: “I was a bit worried about the mile in this ground, but he’s just done a wonderful job, Frankie. We’re making the most of our unconventional prep race (unseated in the Greenham), we might set a trend there!

Andrew Balding was winning his second 2000 Guineas
Andrew Balding was winning his second 2000 Guineas (David Davies/PA)

“It was a concern beforehand, but it did him some good because he got out there. I’m just thrilled, what a brilliant ride.

“What can’t you say about Frankie? Since I’ve been involved in the sport he’s been an omnipresent superstar of the sport and what a fitting way to ride his last 2000 Guineas.

“He always looked to be travelling comfortably, I was just a bit worried about getting past Oisin (Murphy, on Hi Royal) because he can get extra lengths out of horse but once we collared him, I was fairly confident.

“I’ve been looking forward to this for a long while, it’s a mixture of relief and elation. It will probably sink in in a bit, it’s a big deal.”

Of next steps for the colt, Balding added: “Let’s enjoy today but Ascot (St James’s Palace Stakes) would seem the obvious target.

Chaldean passes the post
Chaldean passes the post (David Davies/PA)

“He is in the Irish 2,000 Guineas but he has had a hard race today and giving him as much time between races would be sensible.

“If we did go up in trip, I would imagine it wouldn’t be until York (Juddmonte International).”

Chaldean is owned by Juddmonte, the racing and breeding operation founded by the late Prince Khalid Abdullah.

Prince Saud, Abdullah’s son, said of the victory: “I have to say we have seen the best of the horse today against his own capabilities and traits and I’m very happy to win it.

“I just want to thank and congratulate Frankie.

“I would also like to congratulate the trainer as he has done a great job. I want to thank everyone in Juddmonte as they have done a splendid job.”

Balding wary of ‘exceptional’ O’Brien pair in 2000 Guineas

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Andrew Balding believes this year’s Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket looks “above average” as he prepares Dewhurst winner Chaldean for the first Classic of the season.

With the Aidan O’Brien-trained duo of Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear heading the market, Balding admits he is in the dark as to how his colt will fair against the Ballydoyle pair, having not come up against either last term.

Auguste Rodin won the Futurity Trophy over mile and has been described as a potential Triple Crown horse by O’Brien, while Little Big Bear has never run over further than six furlongs but was stunning in winning the Phoenix Stakes at the Curragh last summer.

Balding has full respect for both horses ahead of Saturday’s showpiece event, saying: “I think the two of Aidan’s at the top of the market looked exceptional last year. We’ve not really got any form with them as we never raced Chaldean against either of them.

“I think there are some strong English entries, like Royal Scotsman who ran us close in the Dewhurst, so he has to be respected. It looks an above average Guineas to me.”

Balding sent Chaldean to Newbury a fortnight ago for the Greenham Stakes, but having received a bump on coming out of the stalls, Frankie Dettori was dislodged and Chaldean ran the course riderless.

Chaldean enjoys a roll in his box
Chaldean enjoys a roll in his box (Megan Ridgwell/Jockey Club)

Balding added: “We will only know on Saturday what we missed out on at Newbury and the benefits of having a run as obviously it would have been far more of a benefit for him to have had a jockey on board and have a proper race.

“At the same time, it wasn’t totally lost as he had to go through the preliminary tests of saddling, walking around the paddock and cantering down to the start, which are the extras that go with a run and not just a gallop at home.

“Thankfully he didn’t go and do another circuit loose. He was fairly sensible.

“I couldn’t be happier with him at the moment and Frankie rode him on Saturday and he worked extremely well. It was a very solid piece and his fitness levels are as good as we could hope for in the circumstances.”

With this being Dettori’s farewell season, Saturday will obviously be his final shot at 2000 Guineas glory.

The popular Italian has already won the race three times, aboard Mark Of Esteem (1996), Island Sands (1999) and Galileo Gold (2016), and Balding is pleased to have him on his side.

Andrew Balding watches Chaldean on the gallops
Andrew Balding watches Chaldean on the gallops (Megan Ridgwell/Jockey Club)

“Frankie has been, throughout my career in racing, the standout jockey. It would be wonderful if we can contribute in giving him the send-off he deserves,” said the Kingsclere handler.

“I think if you were giving him a ride in the St Leger that would be a bit more pressure as it would be his last Classic ride. We just hope we have found him something worthy enough for this occasion.

“I’m delighted we have got him, even at his age he is still an extraordinary jockey and I’m sure we won’t be lacking in assistance in the saddle. “

Dante bid possible for The Foxes

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A crack at York’s Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Dante Stakes appears to be on the cards for The Foxes following his second on reappearance in the Craven Stakes.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt cost 440,000 guineas as a yearling and went someway to justifying that price-tag when following up his maiden success at Goodwood with victory in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket in his final appearance at two.

The form of that Group Two triumph got a boost when runner-up Dubai Mile successfully stepped up to 10 furlongs in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud and The Foxes will likely now be given his own opportunity to shine at that distance following a pleasing return at Newmarket.

The Foxes (left) winning the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last September
The Foxes (left) winning the Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket last September (David Davies/PA)

Tackling a mile in the Craven, he travelled smoothly before giving way to Karl Burke’s 2000 Guineas contender Indestructible in the closing stages – a run that will have blown away any cobwebs before a trip to the Knavesmire on May 18.

“He’s a lovely horse. In hindsight I wish I had just followed Indestructible a bit longer,” said Oisin Murphy – who rode The Foxes on the Rowley Mile.

“We felt before the race he would stay a mile and a quarter well and Andrew (Balding) and Alastair Donald (racing manager for owners King Power Racing) mentioned he will probably go for the Dante.

“He’s by Churchill who is a son of Galileo and his best distance was over a mile and we also know the family – we had Bangkok who is the half-brother. He is a lovely horse.”

Chaldean none the worse for Newbury and on course for Newmarket

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Chaldean is still on course for the Qipco 2000 Guineas despite his unfortunate mishap when unseating Frankie Dettori coming out of the stalls at Newbury on Saturday.

The Frankel colt was a warm favourite to emulate his sire, who won the Greenham Stakes in 2011 on his way to success in the first Classic of the season at Newmarket.

However, he received a bump from Streets Of Gold when leaving the starting gates. Dettori lost an iron as a result and as Chaldean veered left, his rider was left on the turf.

The riderless Chaldean, who had won his four previous starts, enjoyed himself out in front in the seven-furlong contest, which was eventually won by Isaac Shelby.

Bookmakers kept the Juddmonte-owned Chaldean at a general 5-1 for the Guineas on May 6, and trainer Andrew Balding reported he has taken his unfortunate mishap well.

“He’s fine,” said the Kingsclere handler. “None the worse for his little saunter down the track. He had a great time, hardly lost any weight.

“It was an unconventional dress rehearsal, but there we are – it is what it is.”

Isaac Shelby puts the famous Sangster silks back in the limelight

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It may be remembered for the day Frankie Dettori and leading 2000 Guineas hope Chaldean parted company when receiving a bump at the start of the Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes.

Yet it was also a welcome red-letter afternoon for the famous emerald green and blue silks of the Sangster family.

While the unfortunate Chaldean was loving life at Newbury without a rider on his back, Isaac Shelby and Sean Levey made the best of it up front and, unchallenged, won in the style of a good horse.

Paddy Power were quick to react to his success, making him an 8-1 chance for glory in the Guineas in a fortnight’s time but with trainer Brian Meehan seemingly favouring the French Guineas, you can probably treble that.

As a trial, those who put their hard-earned on the winner of the Greenham for the Guineas invariably keep those dastardly bookmakers in ice cream for the summer.

Consider the facts. Wollow won the Greenham and then the Guineas in 1976. It was another 35 years before Frankel did the double. The late Sir Henry Cecil was the master trainer of those outliers who successfully completed the feat.

Indeed, the last winner of the Newmarket colts’ mile Classic to run in the Greenham was nine years ago when Night Of Thunder, Isaac Shelby’s sire, went one better than he had done at Newbury.

So Meehan, tempted though he may be to head to Newmarket, may be right to head to France.

Isaac Shelby had won the Superlative on Newmarket’s July course, a different beast to the Rowley Mile where he subsequently finished last of seven in the Dewhurst when last seen in October. Worse still, he came out of that lame.

Sam Sangster, whose father Robert’s colours were carried to Guineas triumphs by the likes of Rodrigo De Triano, Lomond and El Gran Senor, and Derby victories by The Minstrel and Golden Fleece, may feel Newmarket is not to be sniffed at.

However, he was happy for now to bask in the moment and stick to the plan.

“It was fantastic,” said Sangster, who owns him as part of the Manton Thoroughbreds VII syndicate.

“We thought a lot of him as a two-year-old and we were not surprised when he won at Newmarket.

“Something was amiss in the Dewhurst and it wasn’t back to the drawing board for us, we just kept ticking over.

“He came back so well over the winter and we took him for a little run around at Lingfield. He was on point there, but ever since then he has just been improving more and more at home, so we came here with a lot of confidence. The way he won was very, very professional.

“But that is just him out and out. He has got a wonderful mind. He is just a real professional and seems to thrive every time he runs, so we are excited about the French Guineas, that’s for sure.

“We’ll obviously keep one eye on the British Guineas, but he loved that ground there today and I just think that (ParisLongchamp) will be a nice fit.

“I don’t think he is ground dependent, but the way he went through it today would give just cause to go to France.

“We can always take the boys on at Ascot. See how we go in France and then go to Ascot.”

Isaac Shelby may have had plenty fall his way in testing ground that was always going to have his rivals toiling to reel him back.

But rider Sean Levey felt he had plenty against him and overcame the odds to score readily.

He said: “To be honest, my horse ran a blinder under circumstances that I didn’t think really suited him – the first one being the ground, secondly the loose one actually lit me up. We ran keen for far longer than I would have liked.

“I think he proved himself in the Superlative on faster ground and then disappointed thereafter.

“He has obviously done well over the winter. He needed to improve and it looks as though he has.

“I did think he’d have to improve if the Guineas was going to be his route, but you can’t help but be fairly impressed with him today.

“Brian had the French Guineas on his mind but that could change. I think we always thought Newmarket wouldn’t suit.

“He has got the horse in a good place. He is a quality animal, but it is still early doors and it is not until after the Guineas you know what real quality is.”

While Isaac Shelby will likely skip HQ, the unfortunate Chaldean remains on course to emulate his sire.

Dettori explained: “He was getting a little bit restless in the stalls and I jumped a bit slow. I was half a length behind Charlie (Bishop, aboard Streets Of Gold). He veered right and we went left.

“He took the foot out of my iron and that was it – I was on the floor. Simple as that. I didn’t have time to think.”

Chaldean may, of course, still be up to the task, but missing this crucial test will not help his cause, especially since there are just two weeks between this particular trial and the Guineas.

Take nothing away from Meehan’s winner of what looked a reasonable renewal.

He looks the part, has all but filled his powerful frame, has a good eye, a powerful back end and somewhat stood out among nine other precocious boys of summer, who have begun to strut their stuff.

Those with deep pockets and unsound minds spend millions on these wonderful creatures. Still, there is no guarantee their genes will play the winning game their profile says they should.

Bubbles will undoubtedly be burst, for some today, for others later down the line. Perhaps a fortnight later.

Now, Chaldean is a very good horse. He has a bright future and will almost certainly win other top-class races. He remains at 5-1 for the Guineas, but if Andrew Balding did not have a tough enough task on his hands with the burden of history, now a lack of a thorough prep is on Chaldean’s powerful shoulders.

Dettori eager to resume Chaldean partnership in Greenham

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Chaldean will attempt to follow in his sire’s illustrious footsteps and enhance his Classic credentials when he lines up in Saturday’s Watership Down Stud Too Darn Hot Greenham Stakes at Newbury.

The son of Frankel, whose triumph in the seven-furlong contest 12 years ago was a springboard to legendary status, was last season’s top-rated British juvenile after landing the Dewhurst and he begins his three-year-old campaign with a warning from connections that he will not be fully wound up for the Group Three contest.

The Andrew Balding-trained colt won his last four starts – all over the same distance – after a debut reverse over six furlongs at Newbury.

Frankie Dettori will partner the Juddmonte-owned Chaldean, who is no bigger than 5-1 for the 2000 Guineas on May 6, as the popular Italian seeks a Classic victory in his farewell season.

Dettori even cut short his successful winter in America to resume his partnership with the colt and the World Pool ambassador said: “I could have stayed in America for longer based on the backing I was getting, and I was enjoying it a lot, but I’ve got some nice horses to get back on in the UK, starting with Chaldean in the Greenham on Saturday.

“I didn’t want to let go of this one and I’m really looking forward to getting on him again.

“He was a very good two-year-old last year, winning the Dewhurst, which often proves to be the best race juvenile race of the season. Before that, he was a comfortable winner of the Champagne Stakes, and the second, Indestructible, came out and won the Craven this week.”

Chaldean will take on 10 rivals with the Juddmonte racing manager Barry Mahon viewing the race as a stepping stone, having not run since taking his Group One at Newmarket in early October.

“Like all of these trials, he’s not 100 per cent tuned up, but he’s fit and well and ready to run a good race and we will see where that takes us,” said Mahon.

“These trials are so tight, it’s only two weeks to the Guineas from Newbury, so you don’t want to go there 100 per cent and have a hard race and leave your Guineas behind.

“He’ll be 85/90 per cent and in good form, and as long as he runs a race with promise, no matter where he finishes, it will build us into the Guineas in two weeks time.”

Chaldean’s dam, Suelita, is by Dutch Art, who won both the Prix Morny and Middle Park over six furlongs and was third in the Guineas when stepped up to a mile, a distance he never won over.

Asked if there were any doubts about staying a mile in the Guineas, Mahon added: “With his run style you would say no, but there is a lot of speed in his dam’s side.

“The dam is all five and six (furlongs) and there is very little seven in it.

“Frankel, we know, is a mile and 10-furlong (horse) and his progeny tend to stay, so we’re very hopeful he would get a mile, but I wouldn’t like to say it’s a foregone conclusion either.”

Zoology, owned by Qatar Racing and trained by James Ferguson, has fitness on his side.

A son of Zoustar, he won his maiden at Yarmouth impressively before finishing over 10 lengths adrift of Blackbeard in the Middle Park.

Yet he showed his well-being with a neck success over the Juddmonte-owned Covey upon his return at Southwell earlier this month, form that looked strong when the runner-up scored by four lengths in the Alex Scott Maiden Stakes at Newmarket on Tuesday.

James Ferguson has high hopes for Zoology
James Ferguson has high hopes for Zoology (Mike Egerton/PA)

Ferguson said: “He’s in great form, I’m really happy with him. He did a nice piece of work the other day and has come out of Southwell in great order.

“The form was massively franked with Covey winning at Newmarket. We obviously beat him with a 7lb penalty and I know that horse was first time out, but a 7lb penalty is enough.

“It’s obviously a massive step up, but I really hope for Sheikh Fahad and everybody he can go and run really well.”

Theoryofeverything heads into deeper waters for his second start, having won a seven-furlong Doncaster novice by six lengths three weeks ago.

Another son of Frankel, he is owned by Prince Faisal and trained by John and Thady Gosden, and holds an entry in the Dante.

“He won well on debut at Doncaster at the start of the season. He is a smartly-bred colt so we decided he should take his chance in a very competitive race,” said Thady Gosden.

“It is as strong a Greenham as we have seen for a while with plenty of smart horses in there and obviously it will be only his second run of his life.

“He is coming up against some much more experienced colts. It is a big step up from a maiden novice on soft ground.

“They’re forecast a little bit of rain on Friday night into Saturday morning and it is probably holding ground at the moment after a couple of drying days.

“He is a good-moving colt who obviously handled deep ground at Doncaster and he’ll handle the ground at Newbury.”

Eve Johnson Houghton saddles Streets Of Gold, who is unbeaten in five starts, having signed off his juvenile season with success in a valuable seven-furlong contest at York in October.

“He is really well, he has wintered well so I’m very happy with him,” said the trainer.

“He’s not the biggest horse and he hasn’t grown, but he’s filled out and muscled up. He seems in great form.

Streets of Gold took the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes at the Curragh in September
Streets of Gold took the valuable Tattersalls Ireland Super Auction Sale Stakes at the Curragh in September (Donnall Farmer/PA)

“He has never been a flashy work horse, but he’s been working much better this year. It’s no easy feat to win five on the bounce, he just kept rolling and getting better and better.

“It’s a great starting point for him. I love Newbury as a racecourse, it is just down the road from us.

“If Streets of Gold wins the Greenham or runs well in the Greenham, he will be heading for the English 2000 Guineas. I would be very confident that he would handle the undulations at Newmarket and I have no concerns with trip.”

By Dark Angel, Charyn won two of his four starts as a juvenile for Roger Varian, including the Group Two Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte at Chantilly in October.

Varian said: “He’s a nice colt. He has only got four runs under his belt but has some very good form.

“He was good in his novices and then ran a nice race behind Sakheer in the Mill Reef where I felt he was still learning his trade, but he showed a good level in winning the Group Two at Chantilly in October.

Roger Varian wants to find out more about Charyn
Roger Varian wants to find out more about Charyn (Mike Egerton/PA

“He’s a pretty solid horse who shouldn’t mind the forecast cut in the ground.

“It is likely to be a strong Greenham but he is a colt we like and how he performs will give us a bit of a steer as to where we go with him. But he’s training nicely, looks the part and we’re looking forward to running him.”

Ralph Beckett is responsible for Greys Monument, who was runner-up to Knight – who re-opposes – in the Horris Hill over course and distance when last seen.

Beckett said: “He will need the run and this is on the sharp side for him.”