Merchant looking to bank another big race for Highclere
'The Gordon was always the plan and the next logical step for him and a horse of his profile,' said Highclere's Harry Herbert.
MERCHANT takes the King George V Stakes for @TomMarquand and trainer @WilliamHaggas. Congratulations to connections. pic.twitter.com/5CcXFLkYB5
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) June 19, 2025
'He comes into it – according to William – in really good form and he's been working well at home.
'It's one step at a time with him and we will see how he gets on but we would be very hopeful of a big show as he's a fast-improving horse and one we think the world of.'
The last four winners of this have gone on to contest the St Leger and although his team are refusing to rule out a Classic tilt, it could be an audacious trip to Paris that comes calling in the autumn if Merchant continues his rapid progression through the ranks.
Herbert added: 'The St Leger is certainly possible it's just whether we want to go the mile and six route or whether we stick to a mile and a half.
Tom Marquand aboard Merchant shakes hands with Harry Herbert, after winning at Royal Ascot (John Walton/PA)
'It will all depend on how he progresses and if he happens to win the Gordon Stakes we would then all being well head to the Great Voltigeur (at York, August 20) and if he happened to win that then the conversation would be do you go for the St Leger or have a crack at the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe.
'I think it's wide open at this stage and of course there is a lot of water to flow under the bridge still. But William and I have been discussing it for a while and I'm not certain the St Leger would be the right move for this horse, although I hate to say that now when we're nowhere near that point.
'Hopefully all goes well at Goodwood and once that is out of the way we can go from there.'
Eve Johnson Houghton has already made her mark in the juvenile Group races this week and will bid for Super Sprint compensation with Havana Hurricane in the Markel Richmond Stakes.
Havana Hurricane was a Royal Ascot winner (John Walton/PA)
The Royal Ascot winner narrowly missed out on a huge bounty when beaten a short head at Newbury but now returns to six furlongs, the distance over which he went down fighting to Charlie Appleby's reopposing Maximized in the Woodcote Stakes at Epsom.
'It would be exciting to make it a Group Two double for the week,' said Johnson Houghton.
'He's in great form, he's done nothing wrong and I think six furlongs will really suit him now we know to hold on to him for a bit longer.
'We obviously kicked too soon at Epsom, but we learned from it.'
Clive Cox has bided his time since with Coppull since finishing third in the Coventry Stakes at the Royal meeting but with the form looking smart, is hopeful he can show the required progress in a race the Lambourn handler has won with Golden Horde (2019) and Supremacy (2020).
'I was really pleased with his effort in the Coventry and I just wanted to give him a little bit of time as he's still developing,' said Cox.
Trainer Clive Cox will saddle Coppull (Mike Egerton/PA)
'He's done nothing but please so far and this is another big step, but we really like him.
'It's nice to be heading to these races with horses in form.'
Disappointing in the Coventry was Archie Watson's Underwriter, but after being returned to Ayr for a confidence-boosting win since, attempts to go one better than owners Wathnan Racing's The Strikin Viking who was touched off in this race 12 months ago.
'We took him back up to Ayr and he was impressive there on debut and again the other day, he just had a complete blip for whatever reason at Royal Ascot,' said Wathnan's Richard Brown.
'We couldn't find any reason for the poor performance at Ascot so we went back up to Ayr with a penalty and he showed us what he could do.
'It's a step up in class, but we'll find out where we're at.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
North Wales Chronicle
11 hours ago
- North Wales Chronicle
Johnston has plenty to look forward to with Ancient Egypt
Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing operation went to 1,100,000 guineas for the son of Frankel out of Atone, who is a sister to Midday. Ridden by Rowan Scott, he needed all of the extended seven-furlong trip to get on top but was doing his best work in the closing stages and Johnston – who won the same race 12 months ago with his dual Derby-placed and now St Leger-bound colt Lazy Griff – is keen to get him out again this season. 'He's come out of the race good, I was relieved to get his head in front on debut,' said the Middleham handler. 'He horse we've always liked. He's a big boy. He's a horse for next year. I'm not sure what we'll do with him now, I'm sure we'll see him again at least once more this year, quite how quickly we step up in class, we'll have to have a think about, but he's a he's a smart horse. 'I love the way he was only just getting half the idea in the last furlong when he went and put it to bed. Rowan took about half an hour to pull him up and come back in again so he'll take a big step forward from that. We think he's a smart horse. 'It was the same race that Lazy Griff won. I'm not going to stand here and say that I've been planning that for months, but after he worked last week I thought it was the entry, so let's hope he ends up in the same sort of echelons as him.'
Daily Record
15 hours ago
- Daily Record
Help Armed Forces charity Poppyscotland celebrate 10 years of hugely popular Sportive
The cycling event was first held in 2014, taking a hiatus due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, with the flagship fundraising spectacular so far raising over £270,000. Lanarkshire residents are invited to help Poppyscotland celebrate 10 years of its hugely popular Sportive showcase. The Armed Forces charity first saddled up for the cycling event in 2014, taking a hiatus due to Covid in 2020 and 2021, with the flagship fundraising spectacular so far raising over £270,000. These funds have kindly been donated thanks to the 5650 cyclists who have taken part, covering hundreds of thousands of miles of cycle route, allowing Poppyscotland to support thousands of serving and ex-servicemen, women and their families who need help with issues such as housing, debt, mental health, mobility and more. With this year's event taking place on September 21, people in Lanarkshire are being encouraged to sign up now and further support Poppyscotland, whilst enjoying its 10th anniversary celebrations. Featuring four routes designed for different ability levels., it is split into two distinct types - the Classic (46, 68 and 102 miles) and the Wee Yin (22 miles). As in previous years, riders will line up at the starting point in Prestonpans, East Lothian, then head along the historic coastal route to North Berwick, where Classic route participants will face a timed hill climb before reaching the first feed station at East Linton. From there, the short route continues to Gifford, while medium and long routes head towards Garvald before splitting at Whiteadder Reservoir, with the longer challenge heading to Duns and medium returning to Gifford. All routes finish in Prestonpans. New for 2025, the Wee Yin route will take cyclists inland to Gullane before heading back towards Aberlady and then on to the coastal path. This route is largely flat and ideal for anyone wanting a family activity, looking for an easy ride, or a fun, challenging activity to do at the weekend. Richard Todd, National Poppy appeal manager for Scotland, who will be leading this year's event, said: "We are delighted to be celebrating the 10th Poppy Scotland Sportive in September. "This event has raised an astounding £273,272 over the years with over 5000 participants hitting the roads. "Not to mention the wonderful 380 volunteers and 30 mechanics in the last 10 years who have willingly given up their spare time to help and support on the day. "Once again, we would love to see as many people as possible sign up to take part this year as we celebrate our 10th anniversary, whether you are a former participant or a first timer we will be sure to give you a warm welcome, with some great encouragement on the day. "We hope to raise as much as possible in support of our Armed Forces community, and we would be delighted if those signing up to take part would also consider setting up fundraising pages and challenging themselves with a donation target. "As little as £100 goes a long way in helping us to provide much needed support to both serving and ex-servicemen, women and their families in areas like housing, debt, mental health, and mobility. "If fundraising is not for you, perhaps when you register, you'd consider adding a £10 donation per rider. It's a small gesture that can make a big difference." Entry for the Classic routes is £40 per rider (minimum age: 16). The Wee Yin route is £25 per rider or £40 per family (two adults and two children); minimum age is 12 and entry is free for riders under 16. Entry Includes: electronic timing; mechanical support; food and water stations; coffee at the start; tea and toast at the finish; 'King and Queen of The Heugh' timed hill climb; sweeper service; and a finishers gift.
Leader Live
15 hours ago
- Leader Live
Johnston has plenty to look forward to with Ancient Egypt
Kia Joorabchian's Amo Racing operation went to 1,100,000 guineas for the son of Frankel out of Atone, who is a sister to Midday. Ridden by Rowan Scott, he needed all of the extended seven-furlong trip to get on top but was doing his best work in the closing stages and Johnston – who won the same race 12 months ago with his dual Derby-placed and now St Leger-bound colt Lazy Griff – is keen to get him out again this season. 'He's come out of the race good, I was relieved to get his head in front on debut,' said the Middleham handler. 'He horse we've always liked. He's a big boy. He's a horse for next year. I'm not sure what we'll do with him now, I'm sure we'll see him again at least once more this year, quite how quickly we step up in class, we'll have to have a think about, but he's a he's a smart horse. 'I love the way he was only just getting half the idea in the last furlong when he went and put it to bed. Rowan took about half an hour to pull him up and come back in again so he'll take a big step forward from that. We think he's a smart horse. 'It was the same race that Lazy Griff won. I'm not going to stand here and say that I've been planning that for months, but after he worked last week I thought it was the entry, so let's hope he ends up in the same sort of echelons as him.'
