Lazy Griff's route to Doncaster still open to discussion
'He's fine and back cantering now and I need to have a chat with Mike Prince and the Middleham Park team, just to thrash out what route we're going to go down,' said Johnston.
'We haven't come to any firm decisions on that yet, but whatever we do it will all revolve around the Leger, that's for sure.
'I think we're probably looking for him to have two more runs this year and it's just a question of whether we run him somewhere between now and the Leger or we go straight to the Leger and have another run after that at the back-end of the season. That is the conversation that needs to be had.
'He had a couple of easy weeks as the main priority was to get the horse out of Ireland in good shape and back cantering and we've done that, so the tough bit now is deciding what to do next.
'They're nice decisions to have to make, I wouldn't mind plenty more of them.'
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ITV News
3 days ago
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Scandinavia sees off Illinois for Ballydoyle one-two in Goodwood Cup
The Aidan O'Brien-trained stable companions dominated the betting, so while Scandinavia was discarded by Ryan Moore, Wayne Lordan's mount was still only a 4-1 shot following his victory in the Bahrain Trophy at Newmarket. Illinois attempted to make all but Scandinavia drew upsides over a furlong out and the two had it between them, with the concession of 14lb ultimately proving too much for Moore's mount, who went down by three-quarters of a length. French Master stayed on for a never-nearer third. O'Brien immediately signalled the St Leger at Doncaster as the big aim for his winner. 'Wayne gave him a lovely ride – in the race at Ascot (Queen's Vase) he was trapped six wide all the way and then at Newmarket Ryan said he felt like a very good horse,' he said. 'Illinois went out there in front and looked to have the race won, but then the other horse got him. 'We went to the Gold Cup (with Illinois) without a preparation and I know we haven't seen the best of him. 'Scandinavia is a typical Justify, he just won't lie down, he puts his head down and won't be beaten. 'Lambourn didn't go to the King George as we had one eye on York for him. It's all out in the open and this horse is ready made for the Leger, which is where he will go. 'He (Scandinavia) travelled very well through the race, he has a great mind. Lambourn can go for the Voltigeur and then maybe for the Arc.' O'Brien was also pleased with the performance of the runner-up, feeling his best is still to come. He added: 'I thought Ryan did everything perfect today on Illinois. He was out there and had the race won, and then the other horse just came and got him. 'I don't think we've seen the best of Illinois yet because I think we went to the Gold Cup a year too early and his preparation wasn't right to win a Gold Cup. 'He ran an unbelievable race, and he'll have the rest of the season, but often when that happens it can stop the progression you would really want to come. I really think we haven't seen the best of him yet.'
Glasgow Times
23-07-2025
- Glasgow Times
Lazy Griff's route to Doncaster still open to discussion
Charlie Johnston's three-year-old has bumped into the Aidan O'Brien-trained Lambourn on each of his three previous starts this season, finishing second in the Chester Vase and the Derby at Epsom before making late gains into third place in the Irish Derby. A fourth clash could be on the cards at Doncaster in September, with Lambourn the 15-8 favourite and Lazy Griff a 7-1 shot for the Leger with Paddy Power – but whether the latter will be seen in action before the Town Moor showpiece remains to be seen. 'He's fine and back cantering now and I need to have a chat with Mike Prince and the Middleham Park team, just to thrash out what route we're going to go down,' said Johnston. 'We haven't come to any firm decisions on that yet, but whatever we do it will all revolve around the Leger, that's for sure. 'I think we're probably looking for him to have two more runs this year and it's just a question of whether we run him somewhere between now and the Leger or we go straight to the Leger and have another run after that at the back-end of the season. That is the conversation that needs to be had. 'He had a couple of easy weeks as the main priority was to get the horse out of Ireland in good shape and back cantering and we've done that, so the tough bit now is deciding what to do next. 'They're nice decisions to have to make, I wouldn't mind plenty more of them.'
Rhyl Journal
23-07-2025
- Rhyl Journal
Lazy Griff's route to Doncaster still open to discussion
Charlie Johnston's three-year-old has bumped into the Aidan O'Brien-trained Lambourn on each of his three previous starts this season, finishing second in the Chester Vase and the Derby at Epsom before making late gains into third place in the Irish Derby. A fourth clash could be on the cards at Doncaster in September, with Lambourn the 15-8 favourite and Lazy Griff a 7-1 shot for the Leger with Paddy Power – but whether the latter will be seen in action before the Town Moor showpiece remains to be seen. 'He's fine and back cantering now and I need to have a chat with Mike Prince and the Middleham Park team, just to thrash out what route we're going to go down,' said Johnston. 'We haven't come to any firm decisions on that yet, but whatever we do it will all revolve around the Leger, that's for sure. 'I think we're probably looking for him to have two more runs this year and it's just a question of whether we run him somewhere between now and the Leger or we go straight to the Leger and have another run after that at the back-end of the season. That is the conversation that needs to be had. 'He had a couple of easy weeks as the main priority was to get the horse out of Ireland in good shape and back cantering and we've done that, so the tough bit now is deciding what to do next. 'They're nice decisions to have to make, I wouldn't mind plenty more of them.'
