Helios Express is the lone member of the nine-horse field rated north of 100, and he has earned it with four wins from his six starts dating back to last June, including a powerful 2 3/4-length victory in a Class 2 over Sunday's distance Jan. 7. That effort has stamped him as the $1.40 (2-5) jolly overnight and Hugh Bowman has the call before beginning a suspension.

“He made the adaption to 1600 (metres) more or less straight away, he seemed to travel not too bad,” the always matter-of-fact Size said of his latest effort. “He was a little bit strong, I guess, but still managed it in a slow-run race and he sprinted well off a slow speed, that's about all we expected from him.

“I don't think he's taken harm from the race. He seems to have coped with that pretty well. His trial was normal and he looks like he's going to run a race again.”

One to beat in the Hong Kong Classic Mile!? Helios Express is back in action this Sunday…

Sha Tin, 4 Feb | #4YOSeries | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/XigLtF0VWu

— HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) January 30, 2024

James McDonald is due to partner with Howdeepisyourlove, but suffered a foot injury before Saturday's G3 Widden S. at Rosehill and will be subject to an exam by the HKJC's chief medical officer upon his arrival. The gelding has four wins to his credit, all over the 1200-metre distance and each at Happy Valley, and he'll need to lift here to make his presence felt.

There are 34 stakes races held each season in Hong Kong, and the Classic Mile is the only one to have thus far eluded champion jockey Zac Purton. He takes the reins on Helene Feeling (Ire) (Sioux Nation) for Danny Shum and actually exits a try at group level when he was third as the favourite in the G3 January Cup H. at the city circuit Jan. 10. Winner of four from 10 in Hong Kong, he raced in England as Indian Dream and was a two-time scorer in the lower grades while under the care of Michael Bell.

Beauty Crescent (Ire), whose sire Acclamation (GB) was responsible for 2022 Classic Mile and now multiple Group 1 winner Romantic Warrior (Ire), won the Listed Blenheim S. in 2022 while under the care of Ger Lyons, and though he may not quite be up to winning this, can contend for a minor award. He exits a pair of luckless runs in Class 3 over 1400 metres and attacked the line on both occasions. Andrea Atzeni rides for the legendary Tony Cruz.

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Vandeek wins the Prix Morny after a thrilling finish at @fgdeauville! @Atzenijockey | @gainsboroughHQ pic.twitter.com/u1qDLhF7R2

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) August 20, 2023

“It was a huge display and a big performance,” Ed Crisford said of his cold, who has now earned a berth in the GI Breeders' Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint in November. “I thought the filly's turn of foot was fantastic and I thought we weren't going to claw her back, but to be fair to him he's stuck to his guns and stuck his head down and he's a really high-quality colt. We were behind a few horses and I saw Andrea looking for a gap and he couldn't quite find one, but once he got out he's picked up really well in that ground and he's a proper horse with a big future, hopefully. He could go further in time, but I think he's got so much speed being by Havana Grey that we'll aim for the Middle Park and then take it from there.”

This was a top-class renewal of the Morny and there was never a question that the pace would not be strong and it could be a slowly-run tactical affair. The G2 July S. winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) was electric from the gates, denying Thunder Blue (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) who was acting as the pacemaker for the G2 Norfolk S. winner Valiant Force (Malibu Moon) the lead. That set it up for the smoother-travelling closers in behind, of which Vandeek was always the most striking from a visual standpoint and also on paper once the sectional times had been released.

Every horse was dragged into a speed test here, with such strong splits leading to halfway meaning that this was turning into one for the stayers. With the testing ground accentuating the stamina test, Ramatuelle was faster than Vandeek between three out and the furlong pole but she paid for that in the run to the line as the British raider clawed back the deficit and edge it late as she tired.

Ramatuelle's trainer Christopher Head was not downcast afterwards. “She ran a blinder again–it's amazing what this filly is capable of,” he said. “A small tiny filly among those gigantic colts! It was a great performance, there is no shame in losing. We will discuss the next race with all the partners, but she is in the Cheveley Park and the Lagardere.”

Aidan O'Brien was also delighted with the run of River Tiber following his well-documented training troubles. “He had a muscle pull behind a little over two weeks ago and I really didn't think he'd make it,” he said. “He just lacked a little bit of drive early, so he was back a long ways and Ryan had to give him a chance to loosen up. When he did, he came home very well so we were very happy with the run. We'll see how he is and then make a plan.”

Pedigree Notes

Vandeek, who becomes the first group 1 winner for his excellent sire, is a grandson of Baldemosa (Fr) (Lead On Time) whose half-sister is the G1 Prix Robert Papin heroine Balbonella (Fr) (Gay Mecene). Her trio of top-class performers are the G1 July Cup S. and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest hero Anabaa, the GI Pimlico Special runner-up Key Of Luck and the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches heroine Always Loyal (Zilzal).

Always Loyal is the second dam of the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies-winning champion Shonan Adela (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while another of Balbonella's progeny was the G3 Prix de la Grotte-placed Country Belle (Seattle Slew) who was the dam of the G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Country Reel (Danzig). Also connected to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Baine (Fr) by Country Reel, Mosa Mine's colt foal is by Starspangledbanner (Aus).

Sunday, Deauville, France
SUMBE PRIX MORNY-G1, €350,000, Deauville, 8-20, 2yo, c/f, 6fT, 1:09.84, vsf.
1–VANDEEK (GB), 126, c, 2, by Havana Grey (GB)
1st Dam: Mosa Mine (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus)
2nd Dam: Baldemosa (Fr), by Lead On Time
3rd Dam: Bamieres (Fr), by Riverman
1ST GROUP 1 WIN. (52,000gns Wlg '21 TADEWE; 42,000gns Ylg '22 TADEY; 625,000gns 2yo '23 TATBRE). O-KHK Racing; B-Maywood Stud (GB); T-Simon & Ed Crisford; J-Andrea Atzeni. €199,990. Lifetime Record: GSW-Eng, 3-2-0-0, €316,055. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ramatuelle, 122, f, 2, Justify–Raven's Lady (GB), by Raven's Pass. 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (€100,000 Ylg '22 ARQAUG). O-Infinity Nine Horses, Ecurie des Monceaux, Hollymount Stud France SC, Chun Wai Kwok, Arthur Hoyeau, Mme Ilse Smits & Clement Tropres; B-Yeguada Centurion SLU (KY); T-Christopher Head. €80,010.
3–River Tiber (Ire), 126, c, 2, Wootton Bassett (GB)–Transcendence (Ire), by Arcano (Ire). 1ST GROUP 1 BLACK TYPE. (480,000gns Ylg '22 TATOCT). O-Tabor, Smith, Magnier, Westerberg & Brant; B-Pier House Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. €40,005.
Margins: SNK, 2, 2HF. Odds: 4.40, 1.00, 3.70.
Also Ran: Sacred Angel (Ire), Valiant Force, Sajir (Ire), Elite Status (GB), Jasour (GB), Thunder Blue (GB). Video, sponsored by FanDuel TV.

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“It's [been] a long time since a two-year-old has won the Nunthorpe [Kingsgate Native, 2007]. So, yes, it's a big ask for him, but hopefully he's going there with a very good chance at the weights. Jason doesn't ride as he is on Highfield Princess. Andrea Atzeni rides,” said conditioner Mick Appleby. “He's in good order. He did a good piece of work this morning and he'll probably have one more piece of work on Wednesday. I'm delighted with him.”

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This renewal lost some lustre after the withdrawals of the G2 July S. winner Jasour (GB) (Havana Grey {GB}) and the G2 Railway S. runner-up and TDN Rising Star Unquestionable (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}), but in Vandeek it was showcasing a genuine talent for the operation that had enjoyed success at this level last season with another juvenile sensation Sakheer (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Vandeek had blown the start at Nottingham, but showed an abundance of class to easily overcome that disadvantage and he was nobody's secret here.

“He looked pretty special when he won first time out at Nottingham,” Atzeni said. “He's got a bit of a pedigree, he's obviously improved since Nottingham and he showed today how good he is.” Simon Crisford added, “Nothing really took him into the race for as long as we would like today, he was in front too soon and he sorted of idled. I think there's tons of improvement to come and I think we'll head for the Prix Morny on Aug. 19. Obviously that is dependent on Sheikh Khalid's wishes, but he likes to be bold and brave and I'm sure he will want to go for the Group 1. Stamina-wise, he's of out an Exceed And Excel mare, there's tons of speed in his pedigree but he strikes us at home like he will go further. He's big, scopey, he stands over a lot of daylight–he will stay.”

Ballymount Boy's trainer Adrian Keatley said, “He didn't help himself early on–he was a bit slow away and slow to get into his stride, but he's a fair horse and we were expecting that kind of run from him. We'll see where we go with him next, but we might contemplate going seven furlongs.”

Pedigree Notes

   Vandeek's third dam Bamieres (Fr) (Riverman) was responsible for Balbonella (Fr) (Gay Mecene), who captured the Prix Robert Papin when it carried Group 1 status before producing a trio of high-class individuals. They were the aforementioned Anabaa who was successful in the G1 July Cup S. and G1 Prix Maurice de Gheest, Key Of Luck who also became an notable sire having finished runner-up in the GI Pimlico Special and Always Loyal (Zilzal), heroine of the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches.

   Always Loyal is the second dam of the Hanshin Juvenile Fillies-winning champion Shonan Adela (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), while another of Balbonella's progeny was the G3 Prix de la Grotte-placed Country Belle (Seattle Slew) who was the dam of the G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Country Reel (Danzig). Also connected to the G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Baine (Fr) by Country Reel, Mosa Mine's colt foal is by Starspangledbanner (Aus).

Thursday, Goodwood, Britain
MARKEL RICHMOND S.-G2, £175,000, Goodwood, 8-3, 2yo, c/g, 6fT, 1:13.45, sf.
1–VANDEEK (GB), 128, c, 2, by Havana Grey (GB)
                1st Dam: Mosa Mine (GB), by Exceed And Excel (Aus)
                2nd Dam: Baldemosa (Fr), by Lead On Time
                3rd Dam: Bamieres (Fr), by Riverman
   1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN, 1ST GROUP WIN. (52,000gns Wlg '21
TADEWE; 42,000gns Ylg '22 TADEY; 625,000gns 2yo '23
TATBRE). O-KHK Racing; B-Maywood Stud (GB); T-Simon & Ed
Crisford; J-Andrea Atzeni. £99,243. Lifetime Record: 2-2-0-0,
$130,900. Werk Nick Rating: A. Click for the
   eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Ballymount Boy (Ire), 128, c, 2, Camacho (GB)–Kasalla (Ire),
by Footstepsinthesand (GB). 1ST BLACK TYPE, 1ST GROUP
   BLACK TYPE. (€8,000 Ylg '22 TATIRY; €110,000 2yo '23
TATGOR). O-Keatley Racing Owners Group & D Moore;
B-Fontstown Stud Ltd (IRE); T-Adrian Keatley. £37,625.
3–Toca Madera (Ire), 128, g, 2, Bated Breath (GB)–Hala Hala
(Ire), by Invincible Spirit (Ire). (€40,000 Wlg '21 GOFNO1;
£45,000 Ylg '22 GOFFUK). O-Family Amusements Ltd & Mr J
Botton; B-Tinnakill Bloodstock (IRE); T-Brian Meehan. £18,830.
Margins: 1, 5, 2. Odds: 1.38, 25.00, 7.50.
Also Ran: Hala Emaraaty (Ire), Bobsleigh (Ire), Sketch (Ire), Nazalan (Ire). Scratched: Asadna (Ire), Emperor's Son (Ire), Jasour (GB), Unquestionable (Fr), Watch My Tracer (Ire). VIDEO.

Gr.2 Winner for HAVANA GREY

And what a performance!

VANDEEK storms clear to win the prestigious G2 Richmond Stakes @Goodwood_Races

Congratulations to breeder @maywoodstud & all connections of this exciting colt pic.twitter.com/vmqkY1sSgG

— Whitsbury Manor Stud (@WhitsburyManor) August 3, 2023

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The Owen Burrows trainee, who also saluted in last term's G3 Strensall S. at this venue, employed patient tactics from flagfall and settled into a smooth rhythm with just one rival behind until turning for home. Taking closer order in the straight, the 5-1 chance quickened stylishly to challenge inside the final furlong en route to a half-length verdict from the dual Group 1-placed G2 Prix Eugene Adam victor My Prospero (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}).

“It was a very good training performance and, obviously, Owen Burrows' horses are running very well at the moment,” said rider Andrea Atzeni. “Now that I'm a freelance, I was able to commit to the ride. I have sat on him twice at home as Owen was very keen for me to get to know the horse. He hasn't run for a while, but his work was good. With the likes of My Prospero and Royal Champion running, it was a competitive race for such a small field and it was a very good race.”

Pedigree Notes

Alflaila, one of his sire's 56 pattern-race winners, is one of two winners from as many runners out of Listed Montrose Fillies' S. runner-up Adhwaa (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}). Adhwaa's dam, Listed Cheshire Oaks winner Hammiya (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}), also produced Listed Nereide-Rennen victrix Shaqira (GB) (Redoute's Choice {Aus}) and is the leading performer for Listed Prix Herod winner Albacora (Ire) (Fairy King), herself  a half-sister to G3 Prix de Saint-Georges winner and G1 Poule d'Essai des Pouliches runner-up Pont-Aven (Ire) (Try My Best). Pont-Aven produced a quartet of black-type winners headed by dual G2 Prix du Gros-Chene victrix Sainte Marine (Ire) (Kenmare {Fr}), G2 Gimcrack S.-winning sire Josr Algarhoud (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and the stakes-producing Listed winners Traou Mad (Ire) (Barathea {Ire}) and Cap Coz (Ire) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). Adhwaa has also produced the hitherto unraced 3-year-old filly Kick A Rhyme (Ire) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}).

Alflaila is up in time to win a thrilling renewal of the feature Group 2 @SkyBet York Stakes, with the four-year-old defying a 294-day absence to score under @Atzenijockey for trainer @ojburrows74 pic.twitter.com/7VRCvRMmX8

— York Racecourse (@yorkracecourse) July 29, 2023

Saturday, York, Britain
SKY BET YORK S.-G2, £125,000, York, 7-29, 3yo/up, 10f 56yT, 2:10.17, gd.
1–ALFLAILA (GB), 134, c, 4, by Dark Angel (Ire)
1st Dam: Adhwaa (GB) (SP-Eng), by Oasis Dream (GB)
2nd Dam: Hammiya (Ire), by Darshaan (GB)
3rd Dam: Albacora (Ire), by Fairy King
O/B-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd (GB); T-Owen Burrows; J-Andrea Atzeni. £70,888. Lifetime Record: 13-6-3-0, $339,313. Werk Nick Rating: A+++ *Triple Plus*. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–My Prospero (Ire), 134, c, 4, Iffraaj (GB)–My Titania (Ire), by Sea The Stars (Ire). O/B-Sunderland Holding Inc (IRE); T-William Haggas. £26,875.
3–Royal Champion (Ire), 134, g, 5, Shamardal–Emirates Queen (GB), by Street Cry (Ire). O/B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £13,450.
Margins: HF, 1, 1 1/4. Odds: 5.00, 1.00, 4.50.
Also Ran: Checkandchallenge (GB), Mashhoor (GB).

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Angers backed up a breakthrough success at Saint-Cloud last July with a seventh in Chantilly's Sept. 17 G3 Prix de Conde and closed his juvenile campaign with a third in ParisLongchamp's valuable Haras de Bouquetot Criterium Arqana on Arc weekend. Seventh once more in Saint-Cloud's Mar. 18 Listed Prix Omnium II on sophomore return, he finished a shade over 1 1/2 lengths adrift of subsequent G1 Poule d'Essai des Poulains fifth Valimi (Fr) (Teofilo {Ire}) when third in an Apr. 20 conditions heat back at ParisLongchamp last time.

The eventual winner was shuffled back through the field after an alert getaway from an outer stall and was off the pace in seventh until turning for home. Shaken up at the top of the straight, he surged forward into contention and powered clear of toiling rivals once quickening to the fore approaching the final furlong to easily outclass Charlie Johnston trainee Finn's Charm (GB) (Kingman {GB}) by a mightily impressive six lengths. Dhangadhi (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}), representing Peter Schiergen, fared best of the home defence and lost out by a nose for second in a bobber for the minor placings.

“He's a lovely, big horse and gave me a nice feel going down to the start,” said winning rider Andrea Atzeni. “He ran very well in France last time and the trainer Mario Baratti has done a great job in keeping him spot on for this race. He was the best-looking horse in the paddock and he was, by far, the best horse in the race.”

“He's a very strong horse and we came here to win,” insisted trainer Mario Baratti. “He needs a lot of pace, which he doesn't often get in France, and he can be really good when there's a strong pace. It was a very good run behind a very good horse, in a race which is a traditional preparation for the French Guineas, last time. The only concern I had was the good ground as he is probably better on soft ground, but he got the job done.”

Pedigree Notes
Angers, who becomes the second black-type scorer and first Classic winner for his sire (by Scat Daddy), is the sixth of seven foals and one of four winners produced by G3 Prix Miesque third Angel Of Harlem (Fr) (Holy Roman Emperor {Ire}). He is a half-brother to his once-raced stablemate Anielska (Fr) (Ivawood {Ire}), who ran eighth behind the 'TDN Rising Star' display of Les Pavots (Ire) (No Nay Never) earlier this month. His dam is the leading performer out of Music Express (Fr) (Compton Place {Ire}), herself kin to G3 Grosser Preis der Wirtschaft victor Tahreeb (Fr) (Indian Ridge {Ire}). The January-foaled dark bay's dual stakes-winning third dam Native Twine (GB) (Be My Native) is a half-sister to MGSW G1 Prix Ganay runner-up Alderbrook (GB) (Ardross {Ire}), G3 Minstrel S.-winning sire Restructure (Ire) (Danehill) and MGSP sire Royal Strand (Ire) (Royal Academy).

Monday, Cologne, Germany
38TH MEHL-MULHENS-RENNEN – GERMANY 2000 GUINEAS-G2, €153,000, Cologne, 5-29, 3yo, c/f, 8fT, 1:33.83, gd.
1–ANGERS (FR), 128, c, 3, by Seabhac
1st Dam: Angel Of Harlem (Fr) (GSP-Fr), by Holy Roman Emperor (Ire)
2nd Dam: Music Express (Fr), by Compton Place (GB)
3rd Dam: Native Twine (GB), by Be My Native
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (€22,000 Ylg '21 ARQAUG; €35,000 2yo '22 ARQMAY). O-Uranie SARL, Pegase Bloodstock, Comte Guillaume de Saint-Seine, Frederic Josenhans, Laurent Beuvin & Mme Cecilia Gatta; B-Jan Krauze (FR); T-Mario Baratti; J-Andrea Atzeni. €100,000. Lifetime Record: 7-2-0-2, €162,100. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Finn's Charm (GB), 128, c, 3, Kingman (GB)–Annabelle's Charm (Ire), by Indian Ridge (Ire). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (42,000gns Ylg '21 TATOCT). O-Dr Jim Walker; B-Merry Fox Stud Ltd (GB); T-Charlie Johnston. €30,000.
3–Dhangadhi (Ger), 128, c, 3, Soldier Hollow (GB)–Dhaba (Ger), by Areion (Ger). 1ST BLACK TYPE; 1ST GROUP BLACK TYPE. (€120,000 RNA Ylg '21 BBAGS). O/B-Gestut Park Wiedingen (GER); T-Peter Schiergen. €13,000.
Margins: 6, NO, 2. Odds: 11.70, 7.60, 11.10.
Also Ran: Benacre (Ire), Dragon Icon (Ire), See Paris (Ger), Levanto (Ger), Devil In Pink (Ire), Duc De Morny (GB).

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A winner of a Haydock novice last August and the Listed Betfair Exchange Ascendant S. one day shy of a year ago Saturday, the Kevin Ryan runner was slowly away and raced last of the quartet as Marie's Diamond (Ire) (Footstepsinthesand {GB}) cut out the running over the good to firm course. With a half-mile remaining, the latter was still on top, but Andrea Atzeni had the 13-8 favourite going through his gears and he began his bid in earnest, as Perotto (GB) (New Bay {GB}) took over from the frontrunner inside the final quarter mile. In front at the furlong pole, Triple Time fended off a late rally by Tacarib Bay (GB) (Night Of Thunder {Ire}) to win by 1 1/4 lengths for a new career high. Marie's Diamond was a half-length back in third, a short head in front of Perotto in fourth.

Ryan said of his one-time Guineas hope, “This is a very good horse, he's special. I was devastated when he had a setback before the Guineas, I thought he had a real chance. He'd actually done a great piece of work at Newmarket and came back with a bit of lameness. He had a little tiny stress fracture so we gave him lots of time.

“You can see he's a big horse and he got very heavy and this was a bit quick on him. I'd have loved to have had another fortnight and another gallop in the end but he's obviously very fresh and keen. They don't usually win races when they're doing that, he's a big talent.

“He's typical of a top-class horse, he's got an abundance of natural speed and you could probably run him over six furlongs. He'll probably end up getting 10 furlongs as he relaxes in his races, he was probably just a bit exuberant today.

“We're already thinking about next year, that's the thing with Sheikh Mohammed Obaid, he starts to plan and it didn't faze him at all [after the setback], he was always thinking about next year and he gave him as much time as he wanted. It's great to get him back.

“I think he could be very versatile as far as the ground is concerned, he's a very lightly-raced horse and I wouldn't mind running him on soft ground or quick ground. I'll have to discuss all of our options and we'll make a plan.”

Andrea Atzeni told ITV Racing, “That was very impressive really as he hadn't run since this meeting last year. We thought he was going to be a Guineas horse but he picked up an injury and that's why he has been off for so long.

“He has won on this ground before but would probably appreciate a bit more juice. He's a big-striding horse and when I let him down he picked up. He should come on for the race and is a nice horse. Having not run for a year, it was all about today and finding out if he still had it. It was a great training performance by Kevin and all the team to get the horse back here in top shape.”

Pedigree Notes

The 72nd group winner for his sire, Triple Time's stakes-placed dam Reem Three enjoyed a busy day at the races with her progeny. Her juvenile Lope De Vega (Ire) colt, Captain Winters (GB), finished third in the aforementioned Listed Ascendant S. that Triple Time won in 2021. A little later on Saturday, the duo's 4-year-old half-brother Third Realm (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), a dual listed winner and third in the G3 Gordon S., ran sixth in Kempton's G3 Unibet September S. Besides that trio, Reem Three also has G1 Prix Jean Romanet heroine Ajman Princess (Ire) (Teofilo {Ire}), the G3 Bengough S. victor Cape Byron (GB) (Shamardal), Ostilio (GB) (New Approach {Ire}), successful in the G2 Prix Daniel Wildenstein, and the G1 Prix Saint Alary third Imperial Charm (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) to her credit. Her latest foals are a pair of fillies born in 2021 and 2022 by Kingman (GB) and Night Of Thunder, respectively.

Reem Three's half-brother Afsare (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) won the G2 Celebration Mile, as well as the G3 Sovereign S. and was runner-up in both the GI Arlington Million and the G1 Premio Presidente della Repubblica. Under the G1 French Oaks-winning fourth dam Dunette (Fr) (Hard to Beat {Ire}) is the GI Rothmans International H. victor French Glory (Ire) (Sadler's Wells).

“He returns with a vengeance!”

Triple Time was last seen winning the Ascendant Stakes @haydockraces 364 days ago and makes a stunning comeback in the @Betfair-sponsored Superior Mile for @kevinryanracing and @Atzenijockey pic.twitter.com/bOvwxvDUh9

— Racing TV (@RacingTV) September 3, 2022

Saturday, Haydock
BEST ODDS ON THE BETFAIR EXCHANGE SUPERIOR MILE S.-G3, £80,000, Haydock, 9-3, 3yo/up, 8f 37yT, 1:40.78, g/f.
1–TRIPLE TIME (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Frankel (GB)
                1st Dam: Reem Three (GB) (SP-Eng),
                                by Mark of Esteem (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Jumaireyah (GB), by Fairy King
                3rd Dam: Donya (Ire), by Mill Reef
1ST GRADED STAKES WIN. O-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al
Maktoum; B-Sheikh Mohammed Obaid Al Maktoum (IRE);
T-Kevin A. Ryan; J-Andrea Atzeni. £45,368. Lifetime Record:
5-3-1-1, $96,511. Werk Nick Rating: A+++. *Triple Plus*. Click
   for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree. Click for the
   free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.
2–Tacarib Bay (GB), 126, c, 3, Night of Thunder (Ire)–Bassmah
(GB), by Harbour Watch (Ire). O-Mr J. R. Shannon; B-J. R.
Shannon (GB); T-Richard M. Hannon. £17,200.
3–Marie's Diamond (Ire), 131, h, 6, Footstepsinthesand (GB)–
Sindiyma (Ire), by Kalanisi (Ire). (€35,000 Ylg '17 TIRSEP;
£675,000 RNA 2yo '18 GOFGW; 65,000gns 5yo '21 TATAHI).
O-The Wolf Pack & Partner; B-Mr Tony Ashley (IRE); T-R Fell.
£8,608.
Margins: 1 1/4, HF, NO. Odds: 1.62, 2.00, 3.50.
Also Ran: Perotto (GB). VIDEO.

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Frankie Dettori has partnered Stradivarius to three G1 Gold Cup triumphs at Royal Ascot and has been the man aboard the star-stayer for the majority of his career. However, a decision was made by “mutual consent” to change things up in the saddle, with Atzeni the prime beneficiary.

“It's a great opportunity for me to get back on him. I had a sit on him and gave him a blowout on the Cambridge Road-he feels in good order and I'm looking forward to Tuesday,” Atzeni told Sky Sports Racing.

“I didn't have much to do with him at home when I rode him as a 3- and 4-year-old. I'd say he's not a flashy worker, he just gets the job done.

“He's been there and done it a million times, he knows the time of day but he seems well within himself.”

Atzeni added, “He's been solid all the way through. To keep a horse of his age, a full horse too, it's unbelievable what they've done with him.

“He owes us nothing, everyone connected with him, and hopefully he'll turn up on Tuesday and we'll see the Stradivarius we've seen in the past.”

Stradivarius will be bidding to win the G1 Goodwood Cup for a fourth time on Tuesday but faces stiff opposition from his Royal Ascot conqueror, the reigning Gold Cup hero, Kyprios (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}).

Atzeni was aboard Stradivarius for his first two victories in the Goodwood Cup but hasn't ridden the chestnut since they were successful in this race back in 2018.

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The clash of the Shadwell and Godolphin stars will be one of the highlights of the five-day Glorious Goodwood meeting, which gets underway next Tuesday.

William Haggas, who has trained Baaeed to eight straight victories, including four Group 1 wins, said on Tuesday in Newmarket at a media event organised by Goodwood Racecourse, “We are all set to go with Baaeed, hopefully. He worked this morning and, provided everything is ok over the next couple of days, we are away and will see what evolves.”

He continued: “Coroebus is obviously a high-class horse. Two of ours [My Prospero and Maljoom] finished third and fourth behind him in the St James's Palace S., not beaten far. I was not that impressed with him–and I have to be careful because he is a very smart horse–but I don't think he was at his best that day. I think Maljoom, and I don't think this is just trainer talk, would have won in another couple of strides. At the moment, there is a fair bit of distance between Baaeed and Maljoom.”

The trainer indicated that Baaeed, who has only ever raced at a mile, will step up to 10 furlongs for his next start after Goodwood.

“I don't think Baaeed has much to prove but his pedigree smacks of further,” Haggas said. “He relaxes so well, he has a great mind, and I would love to see him over further at York in Juddmonte International. I remember so vividly when Frankel won that race, it was like a piece of work for him. Anyone who was there, it made your hairs stand up because he was imperious. I hope that Baaeed would be able to travel as strongly and then be able to use his turn of foot. I am very keen to have a go.

“We are just starting to say amongst ourselves in the yard that we need to prepare for life after him–which I know sounds a bit pathetic–because he won't be around for us to enjoy next year. Finding another one is the target.”

Haggas is also likely to run Cheveley Park Stud's Sacred (GB) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) in the G2 World Pool Lennox S.

“[It] looks the obvious race for Sacred, as she likes seven furlongs and fast ground. We are going to leave her in the Qatar Sussex S. at the owner's request, just in case the race cuts up, but seven is her best trip,” he said.

“We will run only one in the Qatar Nassau S. and it will either be Lilac Road (Ire), who wants fast ground, or My Astra (Ire), who can't have it soft enough. I suspect it will be Lilac Road, because we have had this in mind since she won the Middleton. It is her part-owner Julia Aisbitt's birthday on Nassau day, so this looks a good target.”

As well as the Lope De Vega (Ire) filly My Astra, Haggas also hopes to run Sea La Rosa (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), for the same owner, Sunderland Holdings, in the G3 Qatar Lillie Langtry S.

“She won over a mile and five furlongs at Lingfield last year, so she will stay the trip well. She is very tough and very hardy, but I can't see anything beating Free Wind if she puts up a performance similar to Haydock,” he added.

Baaeed will share top billing at Goodwood with Bjorn Nielsen's star stayer Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), who will have the spotlight firmly on him on the opening day of the meeting when he is set to line up for the G1 Qatar Goodwood Cup for the fifth time. He notched his first of four wins in the contest in 2017 and missed last year's race after heavy rain turned the ground against him.

His co-trainer John Gosden said: “Stradivarius is happy. He has maintained his enthusiasm for the game throughout and enjoys his training. We couldn't really be more pleased with him for a chap at this stage of his career, so we are very much looking forward to it.”

He added, “You are very lucky to have a horse or a racemare like that ever come to you, and then to enjoy their longevity and their amazing consistency at that top level. That is testament to the horse, the breeder, and to have that constitution is pretty remarkable. That is probably what has been so fulfilling and the fact he is rather like Enable was. Expressive, rather outgoing, joyous.”

Reflecting on the remarkable career of the 8-year-old, who will be ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Gosden added: “His first Goodwood Cup and his first Gold Cup would be the highlights. Winning the Goodwood Cup as a 3-year-old and then the Gold Cup as a 4-year-old. He has built on that down the years. There aren't many Flat horses who stay around like him. I always remember when Rachel and I came back from America.

“It is pretty set who the key horses are in the Goodwood Cup. We're happy at two miles or two and a half miles. Stradivarius would run a big race over a mile and a half. So, to that extent, I have been pleased with him all along and we're looking forward to it. He is quick on his feet and agile. That always helps around Goodwood. It is a downward, turning track and he probably enjoys the twists and turns of it. He probably finds it quite entertaining, like a fairground ride.”

Goodwood will also see the return of Imad Al Sagar's G1 Prix de Diane winner Nashwa (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who is set to line up for the G1 Qatar Nassau S. on the Thursday of the meeting, while Free Wind (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) is a likely starter for Saturday's G2 Qatar Lillie Langtry S.

“Nashwa has been very well since France,” said co-trainer Thady Gosden. “She ran in the Oaks and then backed up a few days later in France, which is a pretty serious testament to her. She had a pretty hard race at Epsom and ran an exceptional race. She didn't quite stay but still managed to come third. She has been a bit quiet since France as you would expect. She travelled all the way over to Chantilly and ran a huge race there, but she is coming back to herself now and seems in good shape for next week.”

He added, “It is a huge achievement for an owner-breeder to have a horse of this calibre. It is a very competitive game and a real testament to Imad Al Sagar, Blue Diamond [Stud] and all of the team for breeding a filly like her.”

Of George Strawbridge's Lillie Langtry S. contender, he said: “Free Wind didn't have the smoothest trip round at Haydock last time out, but she came out of that race in great form.

“She has won at Goodwood and is pretty versatile with regards to trip and running style. You can drop her in wherever you like. She doesn't want extremes, but she handles most ground.”

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Dettori came in for heavy criticism from Nielsen, who revealed to TDN Europe recently that the man who has partnered Stradivarius to three Gold Cup triumphs ignored instructions at Royal Ascot this year and last year by sitting too far off the pace. 

Nielsen said, “What people don't know is what the riding instructions were. With what happened last year, twice where Frankie sat so far back and down on the rail, he was told, 'Whatever you do, don't sit on the rail and get far back on the horse this year.'

“For some reason, he went and did what he did [at Ascot last month]. By the time we had a chance to get out again, it was an impossible task to make up the ground. If you look at how he was travelling when they turned in and how the winner was travelling, the winner was being ridden strongly and so were some others.”

He added, “The Strad was sitting there on the bridle turning in and through no fault of his own he didn't get a run. It was not a case of the others having younger legs than him. It was a case of he got no run and he was put in a position where he had no chance, unfortunately.”

The John and Thady Gosden-trained 8-year-old has already won the Goodwood Cup four times, including under Atzeni in 2017 and 2018, and Neilsen decided to change things up in the saddle.

“Frankie Dettori, who has enjoyed a great relationship with Stradivarius and ridden him to many brilliant stakes victories, more than he has any other horse, will by mutual agreement give up the ride to Andrea Atzeni in the Goodwood Cup,” Nielsen told Racing TV.

“Frankie remains not only 'the Strad's' biggest fan but a very good friend and of course I look forward to seeing him continue his phenomenal career as one of the greatest big-race jockeys of all time.

“Andrea will be no stranger to Stradivarius as they are undefeated together, winning the 2017 and 2018 Goodwood Cups as well as the 2017 Queen's Vase.”

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