Centigrade return looks to be edging closer
Ralph Beckett's one-time Derby hope is yet to hit the track this term after suffering an early-season injury, but the Highclere Thoroughbreds-owned colt is soon to return to Kimpton Down to begin building up to very belated seasonal reappearance.
Highclere's Harry Herbert said: 'He's had his issues, but he's now back into canter exercise and if all goes to plan he will have an autumn campaign.
'This is a very important horse physically and his form is outstanding. The way he has progressed physically is great and he could be a very important horse not only maybe later this season but also next season.
'If he stood up in front of you he would knock your socks off and along with (William Haggas') Merchant, they are two very important and exciting physicals. We're excited to get him back to Ralph's and hopefully get him back to the racetrack later this autumn.'
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South Wales Guardian
5 hours ago
- South Wales Guardian
Leopardstown option for Delacroix following York eclipse
The Ballydoyle runner bounced back from Derby disappointment to win a pulsating renewal of the Eclipse in early July, coming from an unpromising position to somehow grab victory from the jaws of defeat at the chief expense of Prince of Wales's Stakes victor Ombudsman in a Sandown thriller. The latter was the 7-4 favourite to gain his revenge in what turned out to be an even more fascinating affair on the Knavesmire, with Ombudsman's pacemaker Birr Castle slipping the field and building up a huge lead over the chasing pack. The big two eventually wore him down, but it was John and Thady Gosden's Ombudsman who was three and a half lengths clear at the line, with Delacroix only beating 150-1 shot Birr Castle to the runner-up spot by half a length. O'Brien said: 'It was just a mess really wasn't it? We had discussed before the race that if the pacemaker went and nobody followed him we would follow him, so obviously when they jumped out Ryan (Moore) thought they were going to follow the pacemaker but made the decision to sit in. 'Obviously when he sat in they just kept going slower and slower and slower and he was in a pocket and that was it, it was finished. It was over really as all they have done is sprint down the straight and the rest is history. 'Our horses usually like high-tempo races, but this was the way this time and John's horse won and it was what he wanted. He got the result and we didn't today.' Delacroix's defeat rounded off a disappointing day for O'Brien, having seen his dual Derby hero Lambourn finish only fifth in the preceding Great Voltigeur Stakes. He added: 'It happens every day of the week and it will happen again. Remember, you learn more from losing than winning. 'We learnt if he's well we will go back to Leopardstown with Delacroix and hopefully this won't happen again. 'This horse doesn't mind making the running and has won from the front, so he would be very happy doing that.' Andrew Balding's high-class mare See The Fire finished fourth, with Japanese raider Danon Decile – making his first appearance since beating last month's King George hero Calandagan in the Dubai Sheema Classic in April – ultimately disappointing in fifth. Trainer Shogo Yasuda said: 'We couldn't show his real ability, but this experience will be great for the future. I'm sorry we couldn't show his true ability. 'We may have got it wrong, but we got great support and we want to thank them for that. Especially James Horton (who has had the horse stabled at his yard) and many other people who were really important for helping us while we were here. 'It was really unfortunate we couldn't show himself at his best for everyone.' Last of all in sixth was Francis-Henri Graffard's previously unbeaten French challenger Daryz. There was some confusion as to whether the three-year-old's rider Mickael Barzalona had weighed in afterwards, prompting an objection from the clerk of the scales, but it was eventually confirmed he had and the result stood. Graffard said: 'He lacked experience during the race. He was racing strongly on the bridle and looking at everything. He picked up really nicely but then just got tired late on. 'We'll see how he comes back and make a plan.'
Leader Live
5 hours ago
- Leader Live
Leopardstown option for Delacroix following York eclipse
The Ballydoyle runner bounced back from Derby disappointment to win a pulsating renewal of the Eclipse in early July, coming from an unpromising position to somehow grab victory from the jaws of defeat at the chief expense of Prince of Wales's Stakes victor Ombudsman in a Sandown thriller. The latter was the 7-4 favourite to gain his revenge in what turned out to be an even more fascinating affair on the Knavesmire, with Ombudsman's pacemaker Birr Castle slipping the field and building up a huge lead over the chasing pack. The big two eventually wore him down, but it was John and Thady Gosden's Ombudsman who was three and a half lengths clear at the line, with Delacroix only beating 150-1 shot Birr Castle to the runner-up spot by half a length. O'Brien said: 'It was just a mess really wasn't it? We had discussed before the race that if the pacemaker went and nobody followed him we would follow him, so obviously when they jumped out Ryan (Moore) thought they were going to follow the pacemaker but made the decision to sit in. 'Obviously when he sat in they just kept going slower and slower and slower and he was in a pocket and that was it, it was finished. It was over really as all they have done is sprint down the straight and the rest is history. 'Our horses usually like high-tempo races, but this was the way this time and John's horse won and it was what he wanted. He got the result and we didn't today.' Delacroix's defeat rounded off a disappointing day for O'Brien, having seen his dual Derby hero Lambourn finish only fifth in the preceding Great Voltigeur Stakes. He added: 'It happens every day of the week and it will happen again. Remember, you learn more from losing than winning. 'We learnt if he's well we will go back to Leopardstown with Delacroix and hopefully this won't happen again. 'This horse doesn't mind making the running and has won from the front, so he would be very happy doing that.' Andrew Balding's high-class mare See The Fire finished fourth, with Japanese raider Danon Decile – making his first appearance since beating last month's King George hero Calandagan in the Dubai Sheema Classic in April – ultimately disappointing in fifth. Trainer Shogo Yasuda said: 'We couldn't show his real ability, but this experience will be great for the future. I'm sorry we couldn't show his true ability. 'We may have got it wrong, but we got great support and we want to thank them for that. Especially James Horton (who has had the horse stabled at his yard) and many other people who were really important for helping us while we were here. 'It was really unfortunate we couldn't show himself at his best for everyone.' Last of all in sixth was Francis-Henri Graffard's previously unbeaten French challenger Daryz. There was some confusion as to whether the three-year-old's rider Mickael Barzalona had weighed in afterwards, prompting an objection from the clerk of the scales, but it was eventually confirmed he had and the result stood. Graffard said: 'He lacked experience during the race. He was racing strongly on the bridle and looking at everything. He picked up really nicely but then just got tired late on. 'We'll see how he comes back and make a plan.'
Glasgow Times
5 hours ago
- Glasgow Times
Aidan O'Brien still positive despite Lambourn's Voltigeur defeat
A mildly surprising winner at Epsom, he then doubled up at the Curragh in the Irish equivalent and despite giving weight away all round to his rivals, he was sent off the 4-5 favourite to confirm his position as the best mile-and-a-half colt of his generation. However, Ryan Moore was hard at work from some way out as first stablemate Stay True loomed up looking a threat, before the Ballydoyle duo were swamped by Ralph Beckett's Pride Of Arras. The winner had scored impressively in the Dante at the track in May but finished well behind Lambourn at both Epsom and the Curragh and had subsequently been gelded. O'Brien fielded four in the Group Two and they filled the final four positions. Lambourn is now 5-1 for the St Leger with Coral as his stable companion Scandinavia hardened to 4-5 favourite for the final Classic. 'He went grand, they went steady and he's lazy, I think it was a steadily-run race,' said O'Brien of Lambourn. 'All of them ran grand. The reason we ran Lambourn here was so that he had the option of either the Leger or the Arc. 'I don't think the Leger trip will be a problem, we know he stays a mile and a half well. 'Ryan (Moore) said he felt like he got a little but tired but we'll see how he is. 'Stay True ran a lovely race, he's always looked a lovely horse for the Leger so it looks like he'll be happy doing that.' One horse who enhanced his reputation despite losing his unbeaten record was the Paddy Twomey-trained Carmers, the Queen's Vase winner from Royal Ascot who was dropping in trip. He got caught flat-footed when the pace quickened before staying on for second, beaten a length. 'He maybe didn't get the run of the race but I think it was a very good trial for the Leger,' said Twomey. 'I think he's learned more today than he had in any race he won. It's a big run and back up to the mile and six (furlongs) will suit him. 'I don't think the ground makes any difference to him.'
