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Eldar Eldarov sets out with hopes of big staying campaign ahead

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Roger Varian will use Friday’s Boodles Yorkshire Cup as a stepping stone for Eldar Eldarov’s Ascot Gold Cup bid.

Last season’s St Leger winner takes on six rivals in the Group Two contest as he bids to bounce back from a sub-par run in his sole start since, when beating just one rival home in Ascot’s Long Distance Cup.

He won the Queen’s Vase and the Doncaster Classic in both starts over a mile and three-quarters, and returns to that trip on the Knavesmire.

“He’s really doing well of late and has obviously been very good at both tries over this distance,” said Varian.

“We do see him being very effective when he races over Cup distances, but I think a mile and six furlongs is a good distance to start his season off at, and we hope he runs a good, solid race on Friday that means we can then take aim at the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.

“We’ve got to see how he runs, but we would love to see a positive performance, win or lose. It looks a strong race, but he’s a horse we are looking forward to running and hopefully he can come out of the race giving us the collective opinion he can be a Gold Cup horse.”

In an interesting renewal, 2021 Ebor runner-up Quickthorn returns to the scene of last season’s 14-length Lonsdale Cup success for Hughie Morrison.

His trainer is hoping he can start to garner the plaudits he feels the Nathaniel gelding deserves, with Oisin Murphy retaining the ride as regular partner Tom Marquand is unavailable.

“It was a Flightline-type performance, but he didn’t get the Flightline-type recognition,” said Morrison.

“It might have been a once-in-a-lifetime performance, but I do think it was exceptional, and the disappointment was that neither Stradivarius nor Trueshan ran that day, because we’d have got the credit then.

“Coltrane obviously didn’t run to his best, but Quickthorn absolutely dominated him and I think if you look at the sectionals, he went fast all of the way.

“The ground had gone when he went to Longchamp, and it was the same story at Ascot. The year before he’d had enough by October, and I think that was probably a factor again, too.”

Morrison is keen for the habitual front-runner to replicate that form back down in distance after a somewhat disappointing sixth when taken on early in the Dubai Gold Cup at Meydan in March.

“As for Dubai, it wasn’t easy getting him out of a field in December to have him ready for a fast-ground race in Dubai that looked like a Group One three months later,” he added ahead of a race that forms part of the Qipco British Champions Series.

“He ran well, but the Godolphin team knew what they were up to and we weren’t going to get an easy ride. My concern is that I might have left my year behind in Dubai, but I’ve been perfectly happy with him at home.

Broome bids to follow up his Dubai Gold Cup success
Broome bids to follow up his Dubai Gold Cup success (Adam Davy/PA)

“Tom Marquand couldn’t commit himself, so I made the decision to go for Oisin at the weekend.

“Oisin knows Quickthorn well and rode him in Dubai, as well as when he won twice two years ago, including at Royal Ascot.”

Broome flashed home to win the Dubai Gold Cup for trainer Aidan O’Brien and jockey Ryan Moore, beating Godolphin’s reopposing Siskany, who was favourite for the principal staying race on World Cup night.

Siskany was successful at the 2022 Dubai Carnival and third in the Group One Grosser Preis von Bayern in Germany at the end of the season.

The Charlie Appleby-trained five-year-old easily won the Group Three Nad Al Sheba Trophy in February before being nabbed close home by Broome last time.

“Siskany put up a couple of decent performances at Meydan over the winter,” Appleby told www.godolphin.com.

“We felt that the two miles of the Dubai Gold Cup was right at his limit and dropping back to a mile and six furlongs will help. He brings a nice profile into the race and conditions look there to suit, so we are expecting a big run.

Giavellotto (right) in action in the St Leger
Giavellotto (right) in action in the St Leger (Tim Goode/PA)

Giavellotto, who was promoted to third in the St Leger after being badly hampered two furlongs out, has a bit to find with Broome and Siskany after subsequently finishing ninth in Meydan.

Trainer Marco Botti said: “I felt he was a bit unlucky in the St Leger. He’s a horse with a big stride and he was checked twice. For me he’d have been much closer otherwise.

“His preparation has gone well since Dubai, where things didn’t really pan out for him from a really wide draw and he ended up a bit too far back. It looks quite a competitive race but he stays well and he’s in good form. He’s in good shape and I’m pleased to see that the ground is drying out as I didn’t want to run him on really soft ground.

“He’s not in the Gold Cup, as that trip might stretch him and we don’t see it as the right race for him, but he has plenty of options.”

Last season’s Yorkshire Cup third Tashkhan is the only runner from a year ago to appear again, while Get Shirty completes the line-up.

Middleton a ‘good starting point’ for Free Wind

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Free Wind will bid to justify the decision to supplement her for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Middleton Fillies’ Stakes when she lines up at York on Thursday.

It cost connections £11,200 to add the daughter of Galileo to the 10-furlong event and she now has the chance to scoop her third success at Group Two level.

Trained by John and Thady Gosden she was seen just once last season, when galloping to victory in the Lancashire Oaks at Haydock in July, where a bump she received in running did enough to subsequently curtail her campaign.

She now drops back in trip on her return, attempting to enhance a fine record of five wins from just seven starts.

“She has shown good form over a mile and a half to a mile and six (furlongs), but York is a nice, galloping track and we feel it is a good place to start her off,” said Thady Gosden.

“She won up at Haydock, but during the race she got squeezed up on the rail and unfortunately it affected the rest of the season for her.

“But she has been good at home, she has won five out of six on the turf and she has enough speed to win over 10 furlongs. She has always had plenty of ability and this will tell us more where she goes afterwards.”

Aristia (right) finishing second in the Middleton Stakes in 2022
Aristia (right) finishing second in the Middleton Stakes in 2022 (Tim Goode/PA)

Richard Hannon’s Aristia is the only Group One winner in the line-up, having taken the Prix Jean Romanet at Deauville last season. She also has a fine record here on the Knavesmire and finished second in this contest 12 months ago.

On that occasion Aristia had to play second fiddle to William Haggas’ Lilac Road and this time the Somerville Lodge handler is represented by Sea Silk Road, who has some smart form to her name including when finishing second in the Ribblesdale Stakes at Royal Ascot last term.

One of the most intriguing runners in the field is Toskana Belle, last year’s German Oaks heroine, who now begins life in the care of Roger Varian.

As well as Classic success at Dusseldorf, the four-year-old also went down narrowly in the Grade Three Jockey Club Oaks Invitational Stakes at Aqueduct when trained by Andreas Wohler, and Varian is keen to see his new recruit step out onto the racecourse in the UK for the first time.

He said: “She’s a nice filly and has been working well. She has some strong three-year-old form from Germany and America last year, and we’re looking forward to getting her started.

“I think 10 furlongs on a track like York is a nice starting point for her and will give us a good direction moving forwards.”

Rogue Millennium caught the eye when a staying-on third in the Prix Allez France at ParisLongchamp and represents Tom Clover, while Ryan Moore gets the leg up aboard Ralph Beckett’s State Occasion, who was a track and trip scorer in a handicap here during last year’s Ebor Festival.

“She is the lowest-rated in here, but what she does have going for her is her best performance came over course and distance last season and she likes decent ground,” the jockey told Betfair.

State Occasion on her way to winning the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap at York
State Occasion on her way to winning the Assured Data Protection EBF Fillies’ Handicap at York (Mike Egerton/PA)

“She also goes well when fresh, so if she is primed for this, perhaps more so than the others, then she is not without a chance. She does have a tough task on what we know, though.”

Beckett added: “She is ready for it and she likes the track and the trip. It will be tough, but she’s ready for it.”

Hughie Morrison’s Stay Alert and Karl Burke’s Poptronic complete the eight-strong field.

Circle Of Fire tests Derby credentials at Lingfield

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The King could yet have a Betfred Derby runner during his coronation year as Circle Of Fire attempts to book his ticket to Epsom in the Fitzdares Lingfield Derby Trial Stakes.

The late Queen famously had a Derby runner just days after her own coronation in 1953 when Aureole went down narrowly to Pinza in the Epsom showpiece and 70 years on, the quest to see the famous purple and red silks in the winner’s enclosure after the premier Classic continues.

Trained by Sir Michael Stoute, Circle Of Fire impressed when breaking his maiden at Salisbury on his second start and again caught the eye on reappearance, finishing second in the Newmarket Stakes over 10 furlongs.

He is now stepped up to the Derby distance and is reported to have sharpened up from his Rowley Mile return ahead of this Listed event, which will be run on the all-weather for the first time since 2012 due to waterlogging on Lingfield’s turf course.

Ryan Moore will once again wear the King’s colours aboard Circle Of Fire
Ryan Moore will once again wear the King’s colours aboard Circle Of Fire (David Davies/PA)

“Sir Michael is very pleased with his progress from Newmarket and the extra two furlongs will certainly be to his benefit,” said John Warren, racing manager to the King and Queen.

“This race will give us a good steer as to where to go next.”

One horse that was due to appear in the same Newmarket contest as Circle Of Fire was Ed Walker’s Waipiro – who had won in commanding fashion at the track in his previous start.

However, he was withdrawn after rival Forca Timao kicked out on the way to the start leaving jockey Tom Marquand requiring stitches.

The son of Australia was none the worse for the incident, with the jockey bearing the brunt, and Walker has been quick to reroute his charge to a race in which he tasted success with English King in 2020.

“The plan was obviously to run at Newmarket, which I would have preferred to have done for obvious reasons – it probably wasn’t as strong a race and he was proven over the track and trip,” said Walker.

“The tight nature of this track I don’t think will suit many Derby type horses, but he’s a well-balanced horse and I would rather run on the all-weather than heavy ground.”

He went on: “You don’t tend to get too excited about the trials, because the nature of trials is you walk away most of the time with bubbles burst and going back to the drawing board. We don’t have a heap of mile-and-a-half horses to compare him to, so we need to compare them to other peoples. So we go there knowing as much as you do really.

“The horse is fine, the poor old jockey took the brunt of things last week. He seems really well and I think there is more to come from this horse and he will get better as the season goes on.

“After Saturday we will know which route we are going – hopefully we are going to Epsom, but if not then hopefully it is Royal Ascot. It’s a strong race but he has a good draw and fingers crossed for a big run.”

Charlie Appleby’s Adayar was second in this in 2021 before going on to triumph at Epsom and it is somewhat fitting his brother Military Order will continue his own charge towards the Derby here.

“Military Order goes into this on the back of a good win at Newbury,” the Moulton Paddocks handler told www.godolphin.com.

Military Order after shedding his maiden in style at Newmarket
Military Order after shedding his maiden in style at Newmarket (Adam Morgan/PA)

“We have no real concerns with the switch to the all-weather, while we feel stepping up to this trip will see further improvement. This is his next test that will hopefully propel him on to being a Derby candidate.”

William Haggas’ Laafi was a place behind Military Order when the pair met in a hot Newmarket maiden on debut before winning a Nottingham maiden named after Derby hero Golden Horn on his second start.

The Cloth Of Stars colt could possess plenty of untapped potential moving up in trip, while similar comment applies to the John and Thady Gosden-trained Inquiring Minds who bolted up at Newcastle on his racecourse bow earlier this month for owner-breeder Anthony Oppenheimer.

“I don’t see why he won’t run a nice race, but the opposition looks really strong. This will tell us what kind of standard he is,” said Oppenheimer.

The Kingman colt would have to be supplemented for the Derby if successfully navigating this trial, but does hold an entry for the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot, a race Oppenheimer thinks could suit well.

He continued: “The King Edward is the sort of race one thinks he might enjoy. I would think he will be more suited to Ascot (than Epsom).

“I think he is quite useful, but I don’t think he’s number one in the stable, so I don’t think we can expect too much.”

Andrew Balding’s Ndaawi had his momentum checked in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud last October but had previously won at both Epsom and Goodwood and now makes his reappearance, while the eight-strong line-up is completed by the James Tate-trained pair of Regal Empire and Think First.

Point to be made from O’Brien ace in Huxley Stakes

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Point Lonsdale bids to add further riches to his stellar CV when he lines up in the IRE-Incentive, It Pays To Buy Irish Huxley Stakes at Chester.

Aidan O’Brien’s four-year-old has won five of his seven racecourse appearances, but has only been seen twice since his his high-class Juvenile days when he took four of his five starts and finished second to Native Trail in the Group One National Stakes.

A disappointing run in the 2000 Guineas was his sole outing at three, but he showed the fire still burns bright with a game success in the Alleged Stakes last month following a 351-day absence.

The form of that victory over Visualisation got a boost when the runner-up landed the Mooresbridge Stakes recently and more success for Point Lonsdale here could pave the way for Group One assignments later this season.

O’Brien said: “He won in soft ground at the Curragh. That was his first time over a mile and a quarter and he got the trip well.

“We’ve been happy with him since and we think he’s ready for his next run now.”

Andrew Balding’s Foxes Tales was third in the Winter Derby behind Lord North in February and was last seen handing the useful Rogue Millennium a three-length beating to scoop the Listed Magnolia Stakes at Kempton.

Mujtaba returning after a comprehensive victory at Newbury
Mujtaba returning after a comprehensive victory at Newbury (Neil Morrice/PA)

He now has his sights raised to Group Two level, while also taking a step up in class is William Haggas’ Mujtaba who has been forced into pattern company following a seven-length romp in a Newbury handicap in the autumn.

“He put up a very impressive performance in soft ground at Newbury and went up to 115, so this is a good starting point for him to get him going,” said Haggas.

“He likes the ground so hopefully he will run well. He’s won at Chester before but he’s also run poorly at Chester before, so we will see how we go.”

Simon and Ed Crisford’s Poker Face suffered the first defeat of his career when second in the Earl of Sefton Stakes on reappearance, but the form of that race was given a timely boost when the winner Ottoman Fleet scored at Belmont last weekend and connections are confident there is still more to come from Fastnet Rock gelding.

Poker Face ridden by jockey James Doyle on their way to winning at Pontefract
Poker Face ridden by jockey James Doyle on their way to winning at Pontefract (Mike Egerton/PA)

“He’s lightly raced and he ran a very good race in the Earl of Sefton for his first run back of the year,” said Ed Crisford.

“This race is another step up in class, but he has come out of Newmarket well and has been training well.

“He has a good draw and the ground should suit. He’s in good form and although it is a big step up for him, I’m sure he has a lot more improvement in him.

“He’s only had four runs in his life and is still a baby really and still learning. I think with racing experience he should be improving all the time and is an exciting horse for the future.

“This is another step up and there are some very good horses in there, but he has had his first run of the year now and I’m hopeful he will run a very good race.”

Six go to post for the Group Two contest with Roger Varian’s Royal Champion and Noel Meade’s Layfayette completing the field.

Haggas upbeat on prospect of Ormonde defence from Hamish

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Hamish has the chance to dazzle at Chester once again when he defends his tote.co.uk Bet £5 Get £20 Ormonde Stakes crown.

William Haggas’ seven-year-old ran out a comfortable winner of the Group Three contest 12 months ago and will bid to enhance his record on his return to the Roodee.

Following his success last year, Hamish went on to get within a length of Kyprios in the Irish St Leger, before winning the Cumberland Lodge at Ascot and a narrow defeat at Newbury brought the curtain down on his campaign.

Conditions look ideal for the gelded son of Motivator ahead of his return and having been kept on the sidelines for plenty of the season due to the dry summer last term, connections are keen to make the most of the soft ground while they can.

Haggas said: “He’s very well. He carries a penalty but he’s well. He could have done with a better draw, but he’s ready to go and he enjoys a bit of cut in the ground – I believe it is going to be quite soft up there. He should enjoy that.

“He won OK last year and he was good throughout last year. He’s a pretty good horse who doesn’t run very often. Last year it was dry as a bone and his season was curtailed. But he’s ready to go now and we will try to take advantage of the ground while we have it.”

Changingoftheguard was an impressive winner of the Vase at this meeting last year before finishing a respectable fifth to Desert Crown in the Derby.

Changingoftheguard ridden by Ryan Moore on their way to winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot
Changingoftheguard ridden by Ryan Moore on their way to winning the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot (Adam Davy/PA)

He was last seen scoring at Royal Ascot and reappears after 328 days off the track, bidding to give Aidan O’Brien his sixth victory in the race.

“He was very impressive when beating New London in testing ground in the Chester Vase here last season and followed up with a good fifth in the Derby and then with his King Edward VII win,” the colt’s jockey Ryan Moore told Betfair.

“We never saw him after Royal Ascot as he picked up an injury but we are obviously very happy with him now, or else we wouldn’t be here, and hopefully he can get a Group One on his CV this season. It’s a deep and tough race for a Group Three, but this is a good starting point for him.”

O’Brien said: “It’s a long time since he ran, but he got a mile and a half well last year and we’ve been happy with his work.

“Obviously he’ll come forward from the run, but we’ve been happy with everything he’s been doing.”

Max Vega got the better of Hamish when the pair met in the St Simon Stakes in October and also finished ahead of stablemate Lone Eagle when third and fifth respectively in the John Porter on reappearance. They give Ralph Beckett a solid hand.

Old Harrovian represents Andrew Balding and is upped in class following back-to-back triumphs in novice events, while Enemy enjoyed a fine winter overseas, winning a Meydan handicap and going close in the valuable Red Sea Turf in Saudi Arabia before finishing down the field on Dubai World Cup night most recently.

With John and Thady Gosden’s Israr a significant non-runner, the field is complete by Andrew Slattery’s Irish raider Sunchart.

French Dynamite hunting Grade Two honours for Morris

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French Dynamite bids to cap a fine season with victory in Monday’s McInerney Properties Fairyhouse Chase at Fairyhouse.

Mouse Morris’ eight-year-old started the campaign with a win over hurdles at Thurles, but has since proven a consistent performer over the larger obstacles.

Runner-up in the Paddy Power Gold Cup in November, he ran well for a long way when fifth in the Savills Chase over the Christmas period before finishing second to Fakir D’oudairies when returned to an intermediate trip in Thurles’ Horse & Jockey Hotel Chase.

He was last seen again running with real credit to finish fourth in the Ryanair Chase at the Cheltenham Festival and his handler would love to see conditions dry out ahead of his Easter Monday assignment.

Mouse Morris with Mark Walsh
Mouse Morris with Mark Walsh (PA)

“He will need the ground to dry up because it is very tacky up there at the minute,” said Morris.

“I’m hoping it will and he seems none the worse for Cheltenham. He ran a good race in the Ryanair, the ground was a bit tight and it will depend on the ground again. If it dries up he will have a chance, but it’s a bit testing there at the minute, which wouldn’t be up his street.

“He’s run some great races and is very consistent and long may it last. It will be nice to win a graded race.”

Willie Mullins is responsible for three of the six runners that go to post in the Grade Two event and Easy Game appears the Closutton first string following victories over Kemboy at both Listowel and Gowran in the autumn.

The mount of Paul Townend has won 11 times over the larger obstacles and as well as looking to extend his current winning streak, is searching for a third-straight victory in this two-and-a-half-mile contest.

Easy Game looks for his third straight Easter victory at Fairyhouse
Easy Game looks for his third straight Easter victory at Fairyhouse (Niall Carson/PA)

Royal Rendezvous and Janidil are the others lining up for the Irish champion trainer, with the latter looking to return to the form that saw him score at Gowran in February following a below-par showing at the Cheltenham Festival.

“He didn’t jump great at Cheltenham,” said Frank Berry, racing manager for Janidil’s owner JP McManus.

“He was a bit disappointing there and his jumping let him down, but Willie thinks he has him back in good form and we’re hoping for the best.”

The green and gold of McManus appears to have solid representation in the Donohue Marquees Juvenile Hurdle, where again Mullins holds all the aces at the top of the market.

Blood Destiny was underwhelming when sent off 3-1 for the Triumph Hurdle, but returns to the scene of his prior 18-length romp attempting to get back on track, while stablemate Gust Of Wind ran with real credit in that Festival contest to finish fourth and is an improving juvenile.

Blood Destiny ridden by jockey Patrick Mullins (second right, red silks) in action as they compete in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival
Blood Destiny ridden by jockey Patrick Mullins (second right, red silks) in action as they compete in the JCB Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival (David Davies for The Jockey Club)

McManus’ hopes, however, are pinned to Tekao – who was sent off the 3-1 favourite for the Fred Winter at Prestbury Park and before that finished third in a Dublin Racing Festival Grade One behind stablemates Gala Marceau and Lossiemouth.

“He didn’t behave himself particularly well before the race at Cheltenham and got lit up down at the start,” added Berry.

“He only jumped OK and was a bit disappointing, so we’re on a recovery mission and we’ll see how we go. You would hope he will run well, but he has to come back from a disappointing run.”

The leading owner is also represented by Padraig Roach’s Cougar – a Deep Impact colt who is two from three over obstacles.

Jockey Mark Walsh in the winners enclosure with trainer Padraig Roche and Frank Berry after winning the Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle on Cougar during day two of the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing at Down Royal Racecourse (PA)
Jockey Mark Walsh in the winners enclosure with trainer Padraig Roche and Frank Berry after winning the Value Cabs 3-Y-O Hurdle on Cougar during day two of the Ladbrokes Festival of Racing at Down Royal Racecourse (PA)

“He jumped very well early on and probably got a few soft touches, but for whatever reason he didn’t perform very well at Leopardstown,” said Berry. “He’s after having a nice break, so we’re hoping he will run well.”

Dual Cheltenham Festival winner Monkfish looks to defy a 713-day absence when he makes his eagerly-awaited return in the Rathbarry & Glenview Studs Hurdle.

He forms one half of a formidable hand for Mullins in the Grade Two contest, with the master of Closutton also saddling Asterion Forlonge, who will bid to go one better than his Thurles second on reappearance.

Fil Dor (Gordon Elliott), Beacon Edge (Noel Meade) and HMS Seahorse (Paul Nolan) all disappointed in the Coral Cup when last sighted but attempt to bounce back here, while Paddy Corkery’s Master McShee completes the sextet taking part.

Forest Of Dean and Harrovian tough to split for Gosdens

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Forest Of Dean and Harrovian have become standing dishes for the John and Thady Gosden team and again look set to play a big part in another major all-weather prize, this time the BetUK All-Weather Easter Classic Middle Distance Championships Conditions Stakes at Newcastle.

Forest Of Dean is a former winner of the Winter Derby and three visits to Gosforth Park have resulted in two victories and a runner-up finish, one of those wins being a fast-track qualifier for Finals Day on his penultimate start.

The pair clashed in the latest renewal of the Winter Derby, with Harrovian fourth to high-class stablemate Lord North and Forest Of Dean sixth.

Thady Gosden said: “Forest Of Dean and Harrovian are in good order.

“They both ran solid races last time out in the Winter Derby and that was a strong renewal of the race.

“They have been running through the winter to get them qualified for the race, given the fantastic prize-money on offer, and they deserve to be there.

“They both have similar profiles and it is hard to split them on the form. I guess we will find out more on Friday.”

James Doyle takes the mount on the Godolphin-owned Forest Of Dean, with Harrovian partnered by Robert Havlin, who said: “There is never much between Harrovian and Forest Of Dean, and my fella always runs his race.

“The track at Newcastle seemed to play to Forest Of Dean’s strengths when he won the qualifier, but then Harrovian has finished in front of him the two other times they’ve met this winter.

“The tactics in the Newcastle race probably played to Forest Of Dean’s strengths rather than Harrovian’s, so I might want to ride him a little bit differently. With six runners, it would be hard to say which one will finish in front of the other.”

The main challenge to the Gosden pair in the £200,000 feature – at least according to the betting – looks set to come from the David Marnane-trained Freescape, who has been plying his trade in Dubai since winning a handicap at Dundalk in December.

Marnane said: “Freescape looks very well after wintering in Dubai. He did not have a hard campaign out there, with just the three runs, and the Easter Classic has been in our minds since the back end of last year.

“He ran well enough in the mile race at Newcastle last year but I think he is pretty unexposed over this longer trip – he was just beaten in the Listed race at Dundalk in the autumn and then his handicap win was fairly impressive off a mark of 104.

“He ran well enough behind some good horses in Dubai, although his form would tell you that he is not as good on the turf. Friday will be competitive again but it looks a good spot for him and the prize-money is fantastic.”

Notre Belle Bete (second left) in winning action at Kempton
Notre Belle Bete (second left) in winning action at Kempton (John Walton/PA)

Notre Belle Bete represents Andrew Balding and Oisin Murphy, with his trainer taking positives from his all-weather record which reads three wins, two second and two thirds from seven tries.

Balding said: “Notre Belle Bete has an excellent record on the all-weather. Stepping up in trip should be fine as he was strong at the finish over an extended mile last time. We have thought for a while that a mile and a quarter would be within his range and I think he has a lively each-way chance.”

Base Note runs for Simon and Ed Crisford, with the field completed by Mick Appleby’s United Front.

Shouldvebeenaring bidding to add further lustre to money-spinning CV

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Shouldvebeenaring goes in search of a fifth career success in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes, as enterprising owners Middleham Park Racing attempt to land a telling blow on All-Weather Championships Finals Day.

The Havana Grey colt found the scoresheet on three occasions as a juvenile and having picked up a £122,950 pay cheque when striking in a valuable sales race at York, soon scooped Listed honours at Ripon.

Respectable efforts in the Mill Reef and then back on the Knavesmire over seven furlongs followed before attentions turned to securing qualification for this £150,000 contest at Newcastle – something he achieved when winning at Southwell in January.

Shouldvebeenaring after winning at Ripon
Shouldvebeenaring after winning at Ripon (PA)

“Shouldvebeenaring looks like going off favourite and it looks like a race that is tailor-made for him on a track which suits being held up,” said Tom Palin of Middleham Park.

“I can see him running a similar race as to when he won the Goffs sales race, weaving through. I think he’s nearly top-rated and he looks to have a good chance, it’s been his target all winter.”

Julie Camacho’s Shaquille heads to Gosforth Park having won three of his four career starts and his only disappointment coming in the Acomb Stakes last summer.

Connections have kept the son of Charm Spirit fresh for a crack at this valuable six-furlong contest and are confident he can make his presence felt.

“We’ve been pleased with him,” said Steve Brown, assistant trainer and husband of Camacho.

“He quite purposely had a break after Wolverhampton which was always the intention. He’s trained well over the winter and has progressed again physically – he’s a nice, big, strong colt.

“He went to Newcastle last week to stretch his legs and have a lie of the land and have a breeze up the track.

“We’re looking forward to it, he’s a few pounds wrong with a few of the horses at the weights, but we still feel he is progressive and we’re interested to see if he can improve further.

“It will tell us which direction we should be going in and we still have an interest in going up in trip at some point – it’s on the agenda. But the stiff six is a good starting point, so we will see how it goes and go from there.

George Boughey is double-handed with recent Listed winner Perdika and Kempton scorer Danger Alert, while Kevin Ryan’s Hello Queen has won both starts so far this term, tasting success over course and distance last month.

Another recent winner in the line-up is Andrew Balding’s Desert Cop, who made huge strides when runner-up on his second start before thriving when dropped back to six furlongs, getting off the mark at the third attempt.

The speedily-bred son of Oasis Dream showed plenty of pace to put the race to bed on that occasion and David Bowe, racing manager for the Oasis Dream gelding’s owner Jeff Smith believes his blistering turn of foot could prove crucial once again.

He said: “He has progressed and I would say the six furlongs would suit him down to the ground, especially on his pedigree.

“His last run was impressive in the way he finished out his race and he looks to have plenty of speed. We’ve been really encouraged by him at home and his home work has been excellent.

“He’s a lovely horse with a very speedy pedigree and we’re hoping the six will be ideal for him.”

New Definition disappointed over a mile at Chelmsford last weekend, but trainer James Tate is prepared to put a line through that effort as he drops the otherwise consistent son of Invincible Spirit back down to six furlongs.

He said: “He seemed to improve for running a sharp seven at Lingfield twice, but the mile at Chelmsford was a disaster because he just got stuck wide all the way round.

“We’re backing him up quickly I know, but this is a stiff six at Newcastle and if Chelmsford hasn’t taken anything out of him hopefully he will be on the premises.

“He’s a very tough type and seems to take his racing well.”

Meanwhile Group One-winning jockey Robert Havlin is looking forward to partnering The X O for the first time.

Jockey Robert Havlin will partner John Ryan's The X O in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes
Jockey Robert Havlin will partner John Ryan’s The X O in the talkSPORT All-Weather 3 Year Old Championships Conditions Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)

Although the outsider of the field, John Ryan’s colt has racked up plenty of experience in the early part of 2023, winning two of his five starts since the turn of the year.

“I rode work on The X O on Tuesday and he gave me a nice feel,” said Havlin.

“I watched some of his races back and, although last time was messy, his performances at Southwell were quite impressive.

“I think the straight track at Newcastle will play to his strengths and, even though he has a bit to find on ratings, connections are hoping for a big run.”

The field is complete by Mick Appleby’s Michaela’s Boy, who was disappointing in France last month but brings course form to the table, and Grant Tuer’s versatile Glorious Angel.

Al Mubhir heads Haggas quest for fifth Lincoln success

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William Haggas goes in search of a record fifth Pertemps Network Lincoln on Saturday with Al Mubhir lining up at Doncaster for the Somerville Lodge handler.

Haggas is locked with Jack Robinson on four victories apiece in the season-opening handicap, but appears to have an outstanding chance of becoming the outright leading trainer in the one-mile event with the likely favourite, who will be the mount of Andrea Atzeni.

An easy winner in heavy ground at Haydock at the back-end of last season, the four-year-old has undergone wind surgery ahead of his reappearance, with Haggas expecting conditions to be in his favour.

He said: “Al Mubhir did well last year. He is a nice horse who won on heavy ground at Haydock and the ground looks like it is coming right for him. He’s pretty fit and all being well, he should run a nice race.

“I thought he was going to be a good horse. He won his maiden very nicely at Newmarket as a two-year-old and then I thought he was going to be a nice three-year-old.

“Then he was very disappointing. He was pretty unruly as well and lost his way a bit.

“But he finished the season well. I don’t know how good he is, but he’s always been a nice horse and I think he’s in good shape.”

Haggas will also be represented in the race by Montassib, who was last seen finishing second to Wanees at Haydock in September.

The winner went up 3lb for that success and now races off a mark of 96, but trainer Charlie Hills is hopeful there is still improvement to come from the costly son of Le Havre.

“We’ve had this race in mind since his last run last year,” explained Hills.

“We are happy with him and he has form in soft ground which is great and I just feel that a nice, strongly-run mile, will suit him well.

“He’s a lightly-raced horse and still unexposed to what we think he could be, so hopefully he will run a decent race.”

Baradar made the perfect start to life with George Boughey when scoring over seven furlongs at Town Moor on debut for the Saffron House handler in November.

All three of the five-year-old’s victories have come with cut in the ground and connections are hoping he will relish testing conditions once more, stepping up to a mile.

Baradar ridden by David Egan (left) wins the BetGoodwin Our Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Stakes at Doncaster in November
Baradar ridden by David Egan (left) wins the BetGoodwin Our Best Odds Guaranteed Handicap Stakes at Doncaster in November (Nigel French/PA)

“There’s obviously some nice horses in there lurking off good marks, but this has been the plan for our horse all along,” said Tom Pennington of Amo Racing.

“His three wins have come on soft and heavy ground, so the more rain the better for him.

“He’s in good form and has got good course form, finishing third in the Vertem Futurity as a two-year-old and won there at the backend of last year very impressively for George.

“He’s got the same draw as the winner came from last year (stall four), he’ll be ridden patiently and the ground will suit him.”

Another with both track and soft ground form to his name is Charlie Fellowes’ Atrium who was last seen striking over course and distance and now returns to South Yorkshire in search of a three-timer.

“He is in good order and has had a pretty clear run throughout the winter,” said Fellowes.

“This has been the plan since he got balloted out of the Balmoral and I’m pretty happy with him.

“It is in no doubt he is better with a bit of dig in the ground, but to win a Lincoln off 100 you have to be pretty much a Group horse and even though he was progressive last year, there’s no doubt he needs to take another step forward to be in that bracket.

“We hope he has taken that step forward and I’ve been delighted with his work. He’s never been a great work horse, but actually his work recently has been pretty good. It won’t take much for him to improve again.”

Second behind Atrium here in September was the thoroughly-consistent Empirestateofmind, who is one of two in the race for John Quinn and owner Ross Harmon along with stable stalwart Safe Voyage.

Quinn said: “Safe Voyage seems very well. He’s a 10-year-old now, but his last run was a very good run at Ascot in the big handicap and he still retains plenty of ability.

Safe Voyage ridden by Jason Hart (centre) wins the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes at York
Safe Voyage ridden by Jason Hart (centre) wins the Sky Bet City Of York Stakes at York (Alan Crowhurst/PA)

“Whether he can win a Lincoln at this stage I don’t know, but he’s fit and well and he’ll love the ground.

“Empirestateofmind is in good fettle as well. He had a good year last year and was touched off on his last run of the season at York.

“The handicapper put him up another 4lb for that and he’s gone up 7lb for finishing second three times in his last three runs. With that in mind I thought it would help to claim off him and your man (Taylor Fisher) is good value for his (5lb) claim I think.

“The horse is in good form, he’s fit and will like the ground.”

Angel Bleu hunting further French glory

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Angel Bleu returns to Saint-Cloud attempting to maintain his unbeaten record on the continent in the Prix Edmond Blanc on Saturday.

Ralph Beckett’s son of Dark Angel struck twice on French soil as a two-year-old, firstly landing the Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere before doubling his Group One haul in the Criterium International 20 days later.

Despite failing to find the scoresheet during his three-year-old season, he continued to hold his own in esteemed company, finishing third in the Greenham and also not disgraced behind Baaeed in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.

Following an encouraging return at Wolverhampton, Angel Bleu will now be partnered by Ryan Moore as he returns to the French capital for Group Three duty – tasked with taking on Francis-Henri Graffard’s dual race winner and six-time course scorer, The Revenant.

“We were very pleased with his run at Wolverhampton,” said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager for Angel Bleu’s owner Marc Chan.

“The draw wasn’t the best, but everyone was delighted with his performance and we’re just building up from there. The horse seems to thrive on racing and likes the course, so we may as well run and keep going.

“When you look back at his run in the Sussex Stakes, on ground he didn’t like, and where he came out of the race with an injury – Baaeed was probably at his peak at that point and it wasn’t really a bad effort. Other than the two times at Royal Ascot, the horse has never run a bad race.

“The Revenant has won this race twice and on that ground, at that distance, it will be no egg and spoon race.

“It’s not an easy race, but it’s kind of an obvious spot and Ryan Moore right now is kind of walking on water – he’s in a zone he has never been in before.”

Moore is also in action on the card in the Group Three Prix Penelope where he has the chance to continue his global purple patch aboard Aidan O’Brien’s Camelot filly, Be Happy.

Jockey Ryan Moore has two rides in Group Three contests at Saint-Cloud on Saturday
Jockey Ryan Moore has two rides in Group Three contests at Saint-Cloud on Saturday (Brian Lawless/PA)

“Be Happy will enjoy the expected soft ground and she is a filly we like,” the jockey told Betfair.

“She won well on her debut in testing ground at Cork and she probably didn’t get the run of the race when stepped up in class at the Curragh next time. This longer trip will suit the Camelot filly.

“We also have Fillies’ Mile fifth Library in here and she certainly has her chance – it’s a very good race for the grade, with Pensee Du Jour an obvious threat to all after her runaway win here last time.”