Ghostwriter to step up in search for success
Ghostwriter is to step up in trip after finishing sixth in the red-hot renewal of the Tattersalls Gold Cup at the Curragh.
Clive Cox's four-year-old has been something of a nearly horse since winning the Royal Lodge at two, running well in the Guineas, French Derby, Eclipse and the International at York without getting his head in front.
This year began with another solid effort in Dubai, but after clipping heels just beyond halfway in Ireland he never looked like winning and Cox thinks now is the time to go further with him.
'He was on the back foot a little after clipping heels but that said I think the pace was so strong, it was a very fast time,' said Cox.
'I'm looking forwards to stepping him up in trip. I think after seeing that performance and seeing how he has matured mentally, that is the next step now.
'He's performed well enough without managing to get his head in front once again, but hopefully stepping up in trip will allow him to show a little bit more progress.
'I'm not quite sure where we'll do that, we'll see how he comes out of the race first.
'It wasn't ideal clipping heels as Rossa (Ryan) reported, but I'm not looking for any excuses. It was a strong race and it was another good performance, just not quite good enough on the day.
'Stepping up in trip, with maturity, is something we've talked about before and I think now is the time to take that step.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
22 minutes ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Green Impact gunning for Irish Derby following Glencairn glory
Jessica Harrington's son of sire-of-the-moment Wootton Bassett returned to winning ways in the Glencairn Stakes having finished sixth in the 2000 Guineas. He made all the running that day but with Epsom hero Lambourn more than likely to adopt those tactics at the Curragh, Green Impact's connections are more than happy to take a lead. 'After Thursday we were just hoping there would be some pace in the Irish Derby but now it looks like he is going to have a lead,' said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Marc Chan. 'Green Impact will improve for that race. Had he been 100 per cent then he would have been in the French Derby four days before. 'He just hadn't had the ideal preparation since Newmarket to go and run in France, I'd say he was around 85 per cent ready. 'It looks a good Guineas this year and Green Impact lost a shoe and didn't handle the dip. 'We'd liked to have gone to France but it was smart not to go as he'd had a problem with a muscle. 'He was only getting 5lb instead of 10lb off the older horses so that was a fair effort I thought.' Chan also part-owns the Ralph Beckett-trained Stanhope Gardens, who finished fifth at Epsom, but no decision has been taken as yet on his next target. 'I think it was a good run. It's too soon to say where he might go next,' said McCalmont. 'We'll discuss it in a week or so. Wherever he does go next he can only improve given his preparation.' Chan's stalwart Kinross proved the fire still burns bright when narrowly beaten on his return to action at Haydock. 'We knew he'd come to hand a lot earlier this year,' said McCalmont. 'At the end of last year we were wondering if was still what he was but if you give him time between his races he definitely is. When he's fresh he's a very good horse. 'The three-year-olds this year look very good so I'd say the July Cup this year might be a long shot so the races at Goodwood (Lennox) and York (City of York) are more than likely where he'll turn up, ground permitting.'
Leader Live
an hour ago
- Leader Live
Green Impact gunning for Irish Derby following Glencairn glory
Jessica Harrington's son of sire-of-the-moment Wootton Bassett returned to winning ways in the Glencairn Stakes having finished sixth in the 2000 Guineas. He made all the running that day but with Epsom hero Lambourn more than likely to adopt those tactics at the Curragh, Green Impact's connections are more than happy to take a lead. 'After Thursday we were just hoping there would be some pace in the Irish Derby but now it looks like he is going to have a lead,' said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Marc Chan. 'Green Impact will improve for that race. Had he been 100 per cent then he would have been in the French Derby four days before. 'He just hadn't had the ideal preparation since Newmarket to go and run in France, I'd say he was around 85 per cent ready. 'It looks a good Guineas this year and Green Impact lost a shoe and didn't handle the dip. 'We'd liked to have gone to France but it was smart not to go as he'd had a problem with a muscle. 'He was only getting 5lb instead of 10lb off the older horses so that was a fair effort I thought.' Chan also part-owns the Ralph Beckett-trained Stanhope Gardens, who finished fifth at Epsom, but no decision has been taken as yet on his next target. 'I think it was a good run. It's too soon to say where he might go next,' said McCalmont. 'We'll discuss it in a week or so. Wherever he does go next he can only improve given his preparation.' Chan's stalwart Kinross proved the fire still burns bright when narrowly beaten on his return to action at Haydock. 'We knew he'd come to hand a lot earlier this year,' said McCalmont. 'At the end of last year we were wondering if was still what he was but if you give him time between his races he definitely is. When he's fresh he's a very good horse. 'The three-year-olds this year look very good so I'd say the July Cup this year might be a long shot so the races at Goodwood (Lennox) and York (City of York) are more than likely where he'll turn up, ground permitting.'
Rhyl Journal
2 hours ago
- Rhyl Journal
Green Impact gunning for Irish Derby following Glencairn glory
Jessica Harrington's son of sire-of-the-moment Wootton Bassett returned to winning ways in the Glencairn Stakes having finished sixth in the 2000 Guineas. He made all the running that day but with Epsom hero Lambourn more than likely to adopt those tactics at the Curragh, Green Impact's connections are more than happy to take a lead. 'After Thursday we were just hoping there would be some pace in the Irish Derby but now it looks like he is going to have a lead,' said Jamie McCalmont, racing manager to owner Marc Chan. 'Green Impact will improve for that race. Had he been 100 per cent then he would have been in the French Derby four days before. 'He just hadn't had the ideal preparation since Newmarket to go and run in France, I'd say he was around 85 per cent ready. 'It looks a good Guineas this year and Green Impact lost a shoe and didn't handle the dip. 'We'd liked to have gone to France but it was smart not to go as he'd had a problem with a muscle. 'He was only getting 5lb instead of 10lb off the older horses so that was a fair effort I thought.' Chan also part-owns the Ralph Beckett-trained Stanhope Gardens, who finished fifth at Epsom, but no decision has been taken as yet on his next target. 'I think it was a good run. It's too soon to say where he might go next,' said McCalmont. 'We'll discuss it in a week or so. Wherever he does go next he can only improve given his preparation.' Chan's stalwart Kinross proved the fire still burns bright when narrowly beaten on his return to action at Haydock. 'We knew he'd come to hand a lot earlier this year,' said McCalmont. 'At the end of last year we were wondering if was still what he was but if you give him time between his races he definitely is. When he's fresh he's a very good horse. 'The three-year-olds this year look very good so I'd say the July Cup this year might be a long shot so the races at Goodwood (Lennox) and York (City of York) are more than likely where he'll turn up, ground permitting.'
