Tag Archive for: Newmarket

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.

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.”

Auguste Rodin tops 14 seeking 2000 Guineas honours

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Ante-post favourite Auguste Rodin heads 14 colts declared for Saturday’s Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.

Trainer Aidan O’Brien rates the Deep Impact colt as a possible Triple Crown contender at this stage, with Auguste Rodin – the mount of Ryan Moore – having won three of his four starts to date, including the Group One Futurity Trophy at Doncaster last October.

O’Brien also fields Phoenix Stakes victor Little Big Bear (Wayne Lordan), winner of four of his five runs and last year’s top-rated European juvenile with a mark of 124.

Chaldean will be ridden by Frankie Dettori (
Chaldean will be ridden by Frankie Dettori (Mike Egerton/PA)

Chaldean heads the home defence with Andrew Balding’s charge bidding to give Frankie Dettori victory in the mile Classic in what is the rider’s final season before retirement.

The duo won the Dewhurst Stakes over seven furlongs on the Rowley Mile last term, but Dettori was unshipped coming out of the stalls on his return in last month’s Greenham at Newbury.

Royal Scotsman was beaten just a head by Chaldean in the Dewhurst and he reopposes for Paul and Oliver Cole, while Sakheer is a leading contender for Roger Varian after winning the Mill Reef last term.

Varian also fields Greenham runner up Charyn, with Charlie Appleby another who is double-handed with narrow Breeders’ Cup runner-up Silver Knott and Noble Style, who has been off the track since winning the Gimcrack last season.

Indestructible won the Craven Stakes at Newmarket
Indestructible won the Craven Stakes at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

Karl Burke runs Craven Stakes victor Indestructible along with Futurity third Holloway Boy, with outsider Flight Plan making it a triple challenge from the Middleham handler.

Charlie Johnston saddles his first Classic runner in his sole name as Criterium de Saint-Cloud winner Dubai Mile takes his chance, while Kevin Ryan’s longshot Hi Royal completes a strong Yorkshire challenge.

Charlie Hills’ Galeron completes the line up, with only the O’Brien-trained Cairo not declared.

O’Brien dreaming of Triple Crown bid with Auguste Rodin

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Aidan O’Brien is chasing the Holy Grail of the Triple Crown with Auguste Rodin but insists Saturday’s first leg, the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, will be the toughest.

The hot favourite for the Classic has won all three starts since finishing runner-up on his debut at the Curragh last June and looks sure to improve for stepping up in trip, which is why O’Brien feels he could be a contender for the Derby and St Leger as well.

He was last seen scorching to a three-and-a-half-length success in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster in October and has headed the market for the Guineas and Derby ever since.

The master of Ballydoyle, who has won the 2000 Guineas on a record 10 occasions, is optimistic that the Coolmore team have the horse to emulate Nijinsky, the last Triple Crown winner in 1970.

In 2012, he oversaw Camelot’s brilliant campaign, as he trotted up over a mile in the Guineas, then powered to glory over a mile-and-a-half in the Derby, before falling three-quarters of a length short when denied by Enke in the final leg, over a mile and three-quarters, in the St Leger at Doncaster.

“Obviously if we had a horse who could do it this year, he was going to be the horse,” said O’Brien in a Great British Racing press conference.

“We didn’t like to not give him the chance to do it, if he was good enough, really.

“The Guineas is a great race and there is only one Guineas. It is a great race to start him in and we will find out a lot about him.

“If it went well, then obviously the plan was always to go on to the Derby next and if that went well, let’s see what the lads want to do.”

A son of Deep Impact, who won seven Japanese Group One races and is from the family of Nashwan, Auguste Rodin is out of triple Group One winner Rhododendron, a daughter of O’Brien’s champion three-year-old Galileo. Stamina is therefore unlikely to be an issue.

With that in mind, O’Brien feels the first leg of the Triple Crown is likely to be the hardest to win.

He added: “Obviously the Triple Crown is a very hard thing to do, but sometime it would be great to do it. He is by Deep Impact, who stayed well, he’s out of a Galileo mare and we are looking forward to it.

“It is a difficult type of horse to find, because they have to have a lot of class and they have to have pace enough to run in the Guineas.

“It is really class that those horses have to have. It’s pure class and class gives them stamina and gives them speed. We just thought that, at the moment, he fits into that bracket really well.”

Asked what such an achievement would mean, O’Brien responded: “It would be incredible, really. It’s a very difficult thing to do, but if you don’t try, you’re not there, it definitely won’t happen.

“We don’t ever expect those kind things to happen – I dream about them – but if we have that type of horse, we don’t like to take that chance away from them.”

Ryan Moore (left) will get the choice of rides for Aidan O'Brien (right) in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas
Ryan Moore (left) will get the choice of rides for Aidan O’Brien (right) in the Qipco 2,000 Guineas (Brian Lawless/PA)

He added: “Obviously the Guineas would definitely be the toughest leg to win. It is shorter and it is the shortest that he would be ready to get.”

O’Brien, who last won the Guineas in 2019 with Magna Grecia, seems confident he can overcome the first objective in his Classic season.

“Obviously we think he could, because of the class he’s shown in his work – and always did show – and he’s showing it now in the spring,” he said.

“He is well and has gone through all his work and seems to be in very good form so far, so it’s definitely possible.”

O’Brien will also be represented by Little Big Bear, who won his next four starts as a juvenile after finishing runner-up first time out.

Little Big Bear goes into the unknown over a mile
Little Big Bear goes into the unknown over a mile (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Those victories included the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot over five furlongs and the Phoenix Stakes over six furlongs at the Curragh.

Though currently second favourite for the Guineas, getting the mile trip on his first try beyond six-and-a-half furlongs is no foregone conclusion.

“He is by No Nay Never which is a big influence on speed,” admitted O’Brien.

“There is stamina in his dam’s side. He is a big, powerful horse and we saw what he can do over five and six furlongs.

“He’s a horse who won over five furlongs at Ascot and we know what kind of pace and precociousness that takes, and he had it.

“Then he got six and I suppose were were wondering would he get six. He got six and they way he got it, he looked like he would get seven standing on his ear, so obviously we are going to learn a lot.

“He hasn’t run in a long time. His work over that distance has been nice and he’s doing everything right, really.”

He added: “He is a very laid-back horse and he doesn’t use any petrol really – only what he needs to use. His temperament is a big advantage.”

Ryan Moore will get the choice of the two Ballydoyle runners, with outsider Cairo unlikely to take part.

“Really, we leave Ryan to make up his own mind as late as possible and we never put him under any pressure,” said O’Brien.

“I suppose when he decides what he is going to ride, then the rest falls into place.

“At the moment we think it will be Auguste Rodin.”

Dettori retains full faith in Classic contender Chaldean

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While things did not go according to plan for Chaldean and Frankie Dettori at Newbury last month, the Italian still has high hopes he can ride a fourth and final Qipco 2000 Guineas winner on Saturday.

Unseated coming out of the stalls in the Greenham Stakes, Dettori admits he would far rather have finished aboard his mount, but he at least did not subject himself to a hard time and was soon caught.

In his farewell season, Dettori won the Italian 2000 Guineas for the first time on Monday and if he can claim the British version once more to add to Mark Of Esteem (1996), Island Sands (1999) and Galileo Gold (2016), he will likely raise the roof on the Rowley Mile.

To reacquaint himself with his big-race mount, Dettori went to Andrew Balding’s yard last weekend and liked what he saw.

“It wasn’t ideal what happened at Newbury, so I went to Andrew’s on Saturday for a sit on him and he seemed in good nick,” he told Sky Sports Racing.

“It was one of those unfortunate things (at Newbury) – the horse next door jinked, mine jinked a bit, knocked my foot out of the iron and before I knew I was on the floor.

“I’d have rather finished the race on him than walk back, that’s for sure, but I like the horse, he’s done nothing wrong.

“He won the Dewhurst which is usually the best trial. We don’t know how he’s done between two and three but it’s the same story for all of them, that’s why the Guineas is so unpredictable, you don’t know what’s going to happen.

“He got seven furlongs no problem in the Champagne and Dewhurst, so he doesn’t have much further to go.”

West dreaming of Palace House success with Live

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Live In The Dream could be appropriately named if he provides Adam West with the biggest success of his training career in the Howden Palace House Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday.

The four-year-old is a half-brother to the Epsom handler’s former stable stalwart Live In The Moment and proved highly progressive last season, winning with ease at both Sandown and Chester’s May Festival before producing solid efforts in both the ‘Dash’ at Epsom and when a length second in the Listed Scurry Stakes.

He has proved better than ever since reappearing at four and having started the campaign with back-to-back victories at Lingfield and Pontefract, West believes he could not have the gelding in any better shape ahead of his first crack at Group Three honours.

“I’m very lucky, he’s a tough individual and I’m delighted with how he is going into the race,” said the trainer.

“He has so much confidence and fitness about him now from the two runs that he’s probably looking at over achieving and when the fractions at this level are that narrow, you want that heading into a race.

“He ran second behind Mitbaahy in the Listed race at Sandown last year and that wasn’t too far after the Dash and he had been busy enough then. He thrives on his races but I think by that time of the year, he had just begun to need a bit more time between races and given a little bit of a better start, he could have done a bit more damage.

“He’s sharpened up mentally from three to four. Physically he is the best he’s been. I think he was quite a strong and dominant three-year-old because of his size, but I think mentally he has strengthened up now which was the last piece of the puzzle.”

Live In The Dream ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (right) on their way to winning at Chester
Live In The Dream ridden by jockey Ryan Moore (right) on their way to winning at Chester (Tim Goode/PA)

Live In The Moment took West and owners Steve and Jolene De’Lemos to Meydan in the early part of 2022 and there are high hopes that Live In The Dream could also be set for international competition if he keeps on climbing the sprinting ladder.

“This would be my best chance of a bit of black type for me,” added West.

“The brother Live In The Moment was a standard bearer out in Dubai for us and I’m hoping this horse could take us abroad. If he put another step forward together in this race, then we would be looking at a few turf races out in America at the backend of the year.

“Taking owners to the race before the Guineas is something they could only dream of. Steve is in seventh heaven. Small money and a bit of dedication has resulted in their dreams coming true.”

Astral Beau booked for Dahlia date

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Astral Beau will be pitched into Group Two company this weekend, with trainer Pam Sly hoping the handicapper is proved correct.

The four-year-old Brazen Beau filly has been hiked 21lb to a mark of 107 after taking the Listed Doncaster Mile by four lengths and now goes up in trip for the Howden Dahlia Stakes at Newmarket on Sunday.

Sly, who part-owned and trained Astral Beau’s 1000 Guineas-winning granddam Speciosa, has seen Astral Beau win five of her 10 career starts, including three victories at Newmarket last term.

The trainer hopes there will be enough ease in the ground ahead of a possible clash with the Godolphin pair of Life In Motion and With The Moonlight, as well as Falmouth winner Prosperous Voyage, in the nine-furlong event.

“She’d have a chance if it rains,” said Sly. “She likes juice in the ground. All her form is on good to soft or soft ground. The whole family need it – all things from Speciosa, they all need that.

“I think the handicapper thinks she has a chance by putting her up 21lb! There is nothing I can do about it – it’s how life is.

“She won at the beginning of the season when it was wet and then towards the end she won three, again when the ground was a bit easier.

“I haven’t got plans beyond this weekend, that’s the trouble. I have to see what happens on Sunday and go from there and see what I can find.

“I shall not try to keep her fit all the time if there is nothing to run her in, but I think she’ll stay. It’s only another furlong. As long as it rains, you know I’ll be there with a chance.”

Sly, who trains at Thorney in Cambridgeshire, does have clearer focus for Wintercrack.

She caused a 20-1 surprise when downing Baaeed’s half-brother Naqeeb, who was third when making his debut in a 10-furlong maiden at Leicester on Friday.

Wintercrack/Leicester
Wintercrack will head to Chester next week (Adam Morgan/PA)

Wintercrack, a daughter of Speciosa, made all in testing conditions under Kieran O’Neill and the Cracksman filly will now have her sights raised with a trip to Chester planned next Wednesday.

“The first time I ran her, as a two-year-old, she was drawn very wide at Southwell and on Thursday night she was a 150-1 shot,” Sly added.

“But again, that’s weather-related. She likes the soft ground. I’m actually going to put her in the Cheshire Oaks (May 10) – I must be mad, mustn’t I?

“She’s fine and I’m going to step her up a furlong and a bit.”

Auguste Rodin remains on course for Newmarket

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Auguste Rodin heads 15 colts confirmed for the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket on Saturday.

Aidan O’Brien’s son of Deep Impact is not only ante-post favourite for the first Classic of the season on the Rowley Mile but also heads the market for the Derby at Epsom next month, such was the impression he made as a juvenile last term.

Auguste Rodin won three of his four starts at two, rounding off the year with a dominant display in the Futurity Trophy at Doncaster, and looks set to make his return to action this weekend.

One of his biggest threats could come from his own yard with stablemate Little Big Bear, who has not been seen in competitive action since his brilliant victory in the Phoenix Stakes in August, also standing his ground. Cairo, meanwhile, is a potential third string for O’Brien.

Little Big Bear leads the way in the Phoenix Stakes
Little Big Bear leads the way in the Phoenix Stakes (Lorraine O’Sullivan/PA)

Speaking at the Curragh on Monday, the Ballydoyle handler confirmed his intention to saddle both Auguste Rodin and Little Big Bear.

He said: “So far so good, everything has gone good so far. At the moment both are on the way, that’s the plan at the moment.”

On jockey bookings, O’Brien added: “Obviously Ryan (Moore) won’t decide that until he sees everything. I would imagine at the moment he’s going to ride Auguste, but that’s not in stone.”

The home team is headed by Chaldean, who unseated Frankie Dettori shortly after the gates opened in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury a couple of weeks ago, but has proven class and course form as the winner of last season’s Dewhurst Stakes.

Roger Varian looks set to saddle Mill Reef winner Sakheer and the Greenham runner-up Charyn, while Charlie Appleby has the unbeaten Gimcrack victor Noble Style and Breeders’ Cup second Silver Knott in the mix as he bids for back-to-back wins following the victory of Coroebus last season.

Other hopefuls include Paul and Oliver Cole’s Royal Scotsman, who was beaten a head by Chaldean in the Dewhurst, and Craven winner Indestructible – one of three possible runners for trainer Karl Burke along with Holloway Boy and Flight Plan.

French Group One winner Dubai Mile (Charlie Johnston), Galeron (Charlie Hills) and Hi Royal (Kevin Ryan) complete the acceptors.

Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra heads 1000 Guineas confirmations

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Dermot Weld’s Tahiyra features amongst the 22 confirmations for the Qipco 1000 Guineas, the opening fillies Classic of the season.

The daughter of Siyouni is unbeaten in two outings having followed up an impressive debut victory at Galway by downing Aidan O’Brien’s Breeders’ Cup heroine Meditate in the Moyglare Stud Stakes last September and she has held a position towards the top of the ante-post lists ever since.

Tahiyra and Meditate dominate the top of the market for Sunday’s race at Newmarket and Weld has issued an update suggesting the favourite is likely to line up.

“We’ve left her in at the forfeit stage for the 1000 Guineas on Sunday and the present thought is she will run, but we will make a definite decision later in the week and see how she is,” Weld told the Nick Luck Daily Podcast.

“She’s coming all the time, she’s a filly that hasn’t really grown from two to three but I’m happy and I think she has progressed nicely over the last two weeks and the present thought is we will let her take her chance. We will not confirm that till later in the week.”

As well as Meditate O’Brien could saddle Never Ending Story, with Kieran Cotter’s Matilda Picotte, second to Never Ending Story recently, also on course for a raiding mission.

Richard Hannon leads the British charge with his Nell Gwyn winner Mammas Girl and could also be represented by Powerdress, while as well as Mammas Girl, owners Amo Racing could see Olivia Maralda make her debut for Roger Varian in the race.

Mammas Girl winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket
Mammas Girl winning the Nell Gwyn Stakes at Newmarket (Tim Goode/PA)

Mawj got the better of Dream Of Love by a short head on her first run at Meydan before going on to trounce Nell Gwyn runner-up Fairy Cross in the next time out and that trio give Godolphin a strong hand in a race they last won in 2011 with Blue Bunting.

Ralph Beckett could saddle three in search of his first victory in the race with Fred Darling winner Remarquee, last year’s Cheveley Park champion Lezoo and Dick Poole winner Juliet Sierra all poised to step out onto the Rowley Mile.

It will be Lezoo’s first outing since storming to victory at the track last autumn and connections are keen to praise the efforts of the team at Beckett’s Hampshire base for ensuring their star filly makes the line-up.

Lezoo powered to victory in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket
Lezoo powered to victory in the Juddmonte Cheveley Park Stakes at Newmarket (David Davies/PA)

“Lezoo goes for the 1000 Guineas and it’s a great feat by the team at Kimpton to have both Lezoo ready to run and Prosperous Voyage who will run in the Dahlia Stakes that day. Hopefully Frankie will ride both of them,” said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager for owners Marc Chan and Andrew Rosen.

“That’s a fair achievement and so much can go wrong – we’ve had a very cold and wet spring – and we’re really happy to be heading there on Sunday.”

Of those not confirmed, Karl Burke’s Electric Eyes was shortest in the betting, while John Quinn’s Breege and John and Thady Gosden’s Running Lion are other notable names to skip the May 7 contest.