Oliver Cole thinks Royal Scotsman are better than ever as they attempt to follow up Glorious Goodwood’s success with victory in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes in York on Friday.
Third in the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, the Gleneagles colt proved the effort was no fluke when he vindicated favoritism in the Richmond Stakes three weeks ago.
Connections had the option of moving up to Group One level for the Prix Morny at Deauville this weekend, but he instead heads to the Knavesmire with a Group Two penalty, which means he has to concede 3 pounds each of his rivals.
Cole, who coaches Royal Scotsman in partnership with his father Paul, said: “He is in very good shape and we think he has improved since Goodwood. Physically, we think he looks bigger.
“We just thought travel-wise it was easier to go to York than Deauville and we think about the future with him. Hopefully he goes there and has a great race.
“He handled fast ground in Richmond and I think there was a bit of a cut in the ground the day he won his maiden there, so I think he’s pretty versatile.”
Karl Burke is in doubles, with double winner Marshman joined by stable mate Cold Case.
Impressive on his debut at Ayr Racecourse, Marshman was due to take on Royal Scotsman at Richmond before a late setback scrapped his entry.
The son of Harry Angel instead lined up under a penalty in a novice event at Thirsk last week and went eight and a half lengths to earn him that class advancement.
“We always thought Marshman was a good horse, but he showed us a little more than he did at home when he first got into the stalls and was still completely packed,” Burke said.
“Cliff (Lee, jockey) couldn’t pull him that day, so for me it showed he was smart and we were still going to do a black-type race after that.
“The Richmond might not have worked for us anyway, but he was lame on race morning and I was looking forward to giving him another run before heading out for a black-type run.
“He surprised us a bit with the way he did it in Thirsk. We weren’t surprised he won, but it was a very good performance against the clock and obviously visually it was very good. too.
Cold Case won this course and this distance in June, a victory that is sandwiched by second places in Carlisle and Chester.
Burke added: “I could have done with a bit more rain for Cold Case, but I know Sheikh Mohammed Obaid (owner) is keen to let him have a go and the horse is in great shape.”
Richard Fahey has never hidden the regard in which he holds Clearpoint, which is another belated test of the water at the Pattern class after missing a scheduled outing at the royal reunion.
Before that he made a successful introduction and he has since overtaken Newcastle.
Fahey said: “It’s been a good Gimcrack this year, probably the best Gimcrack I’ve seen in years.
“I like the horse and we will know on Friday where we are with him.
“We are very happy with him at home, all the horses are doing well and that’s all we can ask for.
“It’s just a matter of whether they’re good enough now.”
Charlie Appleby and William Buick team up with Ascot and Newmarket goalscorer Noble Style, who was forced around Royal Ascot with a backhand.
“He looked very smart when he won at Ascot, but I wasn’t entirely happy with him coming to the reunion royal so we missed his mark there,” Appleby told the website. Godolphin.
“I’m convinced that sometimes missing these types of races in the summer can benefit them in the second half of the season. He had his break and then he came back under penalty in a Newmarket rookie. We did the job but, more importantly, we could see an improvement for this race.
“His work has been good. He definitely came for this experience. The Gimcrack is the right race for him now, but over time I think he will use it to step up the trip,”
Andrew Balding’s Castle, Ismail Mohammed-formed Never Just A Dream and Kevin Ryan’s Catch The Paddy yard also feature in a top-notch renewal.
More from Sporting Life
safer play
We are committed to supporting safer gaming. Recommended bets are advised for those over 18 and we strongly encourage readers to bet only what they can afford to lose.
If you are concerned about your gambling, please call the National Gambling Helpline / GamCare on 0808 8020 133.
You can find help and additional information at begambleaware.org and gamingtherapy.org.
#Royal #Scotsman #ready #play #role #high #class #Gimcrack