“[He] pulled up lame after breezing this morning; [he's] being assessed at [the] equine hospital, [his] career [is] in balance,” Raymond told racing broadcaster Nick Luck on Sunday.

A winner at first asking at two, the Sir Michael Stoute trainee swept the G2 Dante S. over the Knavesmire last May and won the Derby by 2 1/2 lengths that June. An ankle injury kept the son of Desert Berry (GB) (Green Desert) away from the races for almost a year until his second-place finish in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown on May 25. He was similarly on course for Royal Ascot but sustained a setback. After recovering, the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. was his next target, but Desert Crown contracted a leg infection which ruled him out of that Ascot showpiece.

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“Desert Crown worked this morning, he worked nicely and everybody was happy with him,” said Bruce Raymond, racing manager to owner Saeed Suhail. “He's not a great worker, as has been stated before, but everyone was very happy with him this morning and everything went as well as expected.”

The Sir Michael Stoute trainee was due to run in the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. at Ascot, but was forced to miss the race due to a leg infection. Missing since last year's King George with an ankle injury, the 4-year-old finished second to subsequent King George hero Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. on May 25.

Added Raymond of the work, “William [Buick] didn't ride him. Ryan Moore rode him this morning. He's ridden him a lot of times at home and Sir Michael just sometimes likes a different opinion.

“One thing I can definitely tell you is this horse needed it badly at Sandown, it wasn't said at the time but Michael was quite surprised how much he was blowing afterwards. He had worked on the grass but nowhere near as much as we would have liked as it kept on pouring down.

“We're looking forward to next week. He's got to go somewhere and when you are in his class, there are only certain races you can run in.”

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Aidan O'Brien removed two of his back-up entries Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) and Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}), leaving four from the stable headed by the dual Derby hero Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) under Ryan Moore. As far as his draw is concerned, it was far from bad news for connections with the race's key 3-year-old in the widest stall. Ascot's renowned bias for middle to high numbers over this mile-and-a-half trip is even more pronounced on ground as easy as looks certain to prevail for Saturday's behemoth contest. There have been very few King Georges with double-figure fields of late, but it is notable that Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), Poet's Word (Ire) (Poet's Voice {GB}) and Postponed (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) were all posted wide in years when there were more than six runners.

Ascot's heavy overnight rain turned the ground officially to soft on Thursday and with the prospect of more scattered showers to interrupt any drying effect, this year's renewal could be tough going for some but not for the likes of Shadwell's Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}). Not best drawn in four, the 6-year-old full-brother to Baaeed (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) could nevertheless start favourite as the least likely of the race's big contenders to be inconvenienced by easy conditions. Jockey Jim Crowley is happy with the ground, but said, “He's in good form and I just want good-to-soft or good, no one wants heavy for any horse,” he said.

Hukum is next to Amo Racing's Derby runner-up and G2 King Edward VII S. winner and other 3-year-old presence King Of Steel (Wootton Bassett {GB}) in three, while the G1 Coronation Cup one-two Emily Upjohn (GB) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) and Westover (GB) (Frankel {GB}) fared better in eight and 10, respectively. Ballydoyle's quartet includes the G1 Irish Champion S. and G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup hero Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) in stall one, with Seamie Heffernan reunited with him for the first time since the 2021 G2 Beresford S., while Adam Kirby has been booked for Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in stall five. He is next to last year's winner Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) in the middle in six, with Hamish (GB) (Motivator {GB}) in seven. In a twist, Desert Crown's regular rider Richard Kingscote, who was due to be replaced by William Buick on the subsequently-withdrawn Stoute luminary, has been booked for the Haggas's veteran mud-lover.

King Of Steel's owner Kia Joorabchian is relishing taking part in such a deep contest. “This is going to be one of the best races for centuries,” he said. “He's been fantastic, but I hope the ground doesn't get too heavy and we'll see a much more realistic race if it's not. He runs on both types of ground and for a big horse is light on his feet and loves his racing. He's still three, so whatever happens at the weekend he has a long way to go and the end target is the Breeders' Cup.”

Clerk of the Course Chris Stickels is expecting a slight firming up of conditions and said, “There is a chance of a passing shower–a light shower today and an occasional shower possible on both Friday and Saturday–but we are not talking about much volume of rainfall, so I expect conditions to improve a little, given a breezy and warmer forecast, with temperatures between 21C (70F) and 24C (75F).”

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Riding a two-race winning streak after taking Epsom's Blue Riband last month and the Irish equivalent for the Coolmore partners, Auguste Rodin beat stable-mate Adelaide River (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the latter. He will aim to emulate former Coolmore kingpin Galileo (Ire) with a victory in the King George after winning two Derbys.

“He's on that programme, and so far, everything is going well [for the King George],” O'Brien told the Nick Luck Daily podcast on Wednesday,

The aforementioned Adelaide River enters off another strong second-place effort in the G1 Grand Prix de Paris at Longchamp on June 14. He is joined by Group 1-winning older horses Luxembourg (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}), and Bolshoi Ballet (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), while the G2 Huxley S. hero and Group 1-placed Point Lonsdale (Ire) (Australia {GB}) is another possible runner.

“Luxembourg is a very strong possible at the moment,” O'Brien continued. “Point Lonsdale is a strong possible at the moment. Broome, like I said, he could go [for the King George], and probably will go to Goodwood for the two miles [G1 Goodwood Cup S. on Aug. 1]. Bolshoi Ballet is a very strong possible. And then, obviously, Auguste Rodin and Adelaide River, we'd have to see how he [Adelaide River] came out of the race [G1 Grand Prix de Paris] and give him a little bit of time to see before we make any decision about him.”

O'Brien also provided an update on likely G1 Sussex S. runner Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}), who will potentially represent the Coolmore partners in the G1 Cox Plate in the autumn.

He said, “Everything went well since [the Eclipse], and is at the moment. He's on that plan and that programme [for the Sussex] at the moment.”

The Coolmore partners also have five of the nine fillies currently entered in Saturday's G1 Juddmonte Irish Oaks. G3 Cheshire Oaks heroine and G1 Oaks runner-up Savethelastdance (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), G2 Ribblesdale S. victress Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and Be Happy (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) were pleasing the Rosegreen handler particularly. He also has listed winner Library (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and winner Lambada (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) signed on.

“I suppose, we have three very strong fillies in there,” O'Brien added. “Obviously, the filly [Savethelastdance] from Chester we think is very well. This has always been her programme. And then the filly [Warm Heart] who won at Ascot. We weren't sure that stepping up the a mile and a half would suit her, but it obviously improved her.

“Another filly called Be Happy which we have always thought a lot of, [is in the race]. She was withdrawn at the last minute from the Oaks and we had her ready to run again, and she got an infection in her foot. The last three weeks everything has been very good with her. The plan is that is where she is going now at the moment, as well.”

Pair Of Contenders Pleasing Connections In Latest King George Works

Saeed Suhail's 2022 Derby winner Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) also remains in contention for the Ascot showpiece. Off for over a year with an ankle injury, the 4-year-old ran second in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown earlier this season. Another minor setback kept the Sir Michael Stoute trainee out of Royal Ascot and a run in the G1 Prince of Wales's S., but he pleased his connections in a work at Newmarket on Wednesday morning.

Suhail's racing manager, Bruce Raymond, said, “He worked this morning and Ryan [Moore] rode him. Michael was very pleased with him and I think there is a good chance he will go to Ascot.

“He worked nicely. It was a pleasing gallop. I can't say he is certain for the race, but everyone was very happy with him. There's a good chance he will go to Ascot.”

Already a winner of the King George in 2022, two-time Group 1 scorer Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) also remains among the entries. He decisively won the G2 Hardwicke S. at Royal Ascot in June for co-trainers William Muir and Chris Grassick in the colours of the La Pyle Partnership.

“He just did want we wanted and we were delighted with him,” said Muir of the 6-year-old's Newbury gallop.

“It was not a serious, hard gallop, it was just a day out really. He goes to Newbury, has a warm-up little canter and then covers the distance, that's all. He did great. We're keeping our fingers crossed and we're in good shape. Fingers crossed we'll be there at Ascot.”

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The G1 British Champions Fillies And Mares S. winner, who won the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom on her seasonal bow, was giving her rival seven pounds on the day.

Gosden, who trains with his son Thady, said, “After a race like that you take stock, but I couldn't be more thrilled. She's in great form with herself, I had to canter her again quickly.

“I'm very pleased with her and there's no reason at the minute why she wouldn't go to the King George.”

One of the filly's rivals, 2022 Derby hero Desert Crown (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}), is not certain for the race after recovering a setback which kept him out of the Royal Ascot meeting, and trainer Sir Michael Stoute said, “We don't know if we will get him ready in time [for the King George]. He is back in fast work, so we will decide closer to the time. It's a little bit tight time-wise.”

Gosden also confirmed plans for another of his stable stars in Mostahdaf (Ire) (Muhaarar {GB}), who was ranked second in the world on the Longines World's Best Racehorse Rankings on Thursday. The 2023 G1 Prince of Wales's S. hero will point to the G1 Juddmonte International S. at York on Aug. 23.

“He goes to the International, he should enjoy York as he likes to play around before the races like Stradivarius used to,” he told Racing TV.

“We've had to space his races, he ran in the [G3] Neom Cup in Saudi which he won in February, he came back and then went to the [G1] Sheema Classic in March, in which he took on the world champion in Equinox (Jpn) and tried to race with him, which is a mistake.

“He came back to a mile and a quarter and showed us what he could do in the Prince of Wales's in which he was very impressive. He came out of it super, he's very full of himself every morning.”

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While most connections of horses that carry this kind of gravitas err on the side of caution when commenting on a comeback after so long off the track, the owner's racing manager Bruce Raymond is having none of it. “I'm more than hopeful. It would be a huge upset were he to be beaten,” he bullishly stated on Wednesday. “Of course, they can all be beaten but I don't expect him to be.”

“Michael is definitely 100% happy with him, he's fine, he's working good and while there's enough improvement to come, he's fit enough to do himself justice,” Raymond added. “We've got a pacemaker in Solid Stone to make sure it's not a crawl. He leads him in all his work and he didn't run at Chester recently just so he could run in this.”

Look who's back

2022 Derby hero DESERT CROWN declared to run in the @RacehorseLotto Brigadier Gerard at @Sandownpark

Thursday, 7:42pm – don't miss it! pic.twitter.com/Db2IY1j8vA

— The Jockey Club (@TheJockeyClub) May 23, 2023

Is Hukum The Fly In The Ointment?

Another who hasn't been seen since last year's Derby meeting is Shadwell's Hukum (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}), with his career-best G1 Coronation Cup success looking shortly after to have been his last. Nursed back from the brink by the team at Shadwell and trainer Owen Burrows, the 6-year-old who had the audacity to beat Pyledriver (GB) (Harbour Watch {Ire}) by 4 1/4 lengths at Epsom is not to be underestimated although his participation depends on an inspection of the surface by connections.

“Timing-wise it really works out, it slots in well with the Hardwicke at Royal Ascot as a prep run,” Burrows said. “Fingers crossed he can show his old enthusiasm, run a nice race and get his season on track. Myself and Richard Hills are going to walk the track beforehand, I've been liaising with Andrew Cooper, the clerk, and he normally does a great job. I just don't want to run him for the first time in the year on fast ground and it's an evening meeting, so there's plenty of time throughout the day for it to dry out. We'll just be taking a look to make sure we're happy.”

Two Points To Make

Also at Sandown is the Listed National S., where Sultan Ali's Blue Storm (GB) (Blue Point {Ire}) bids to confirm the merit of the form of his Newmarket novice win at the Craven meeting. The James Tate trainee is up against eight other winners among the 10, including Godolphin's fellow Newmarket scorer On Point (Ire), another son of Blue Point (Ire) in a fascinating renewal of the Royal Ascot pointer.

“We were very impressed with him first time and the form couldn't have worked out any better,” Tate said of Blue Storm. “He's been impressing at home and it's all positives really. Having said that, I've ran horses in the National S. a few times and on paper it looks a strong renewal, so it's a good job we're bringing what we think is a good horse in to it.”

Third first-crop winner from 5 runners for Blue Point as BLUE STORM makes a winning debut at Newmarket.

1/2 bro to SP Silver Surfer, dam SW Riskit Fora Biskit@neilcallan78 @NewmarketRace @GoffsUK @longviewstud @DarleyEurope @DarleyAus @DarleyStallionspic.twitter.com/5doMhtgpHg

— Pedigree Update (@pedigreeupdate) April 18, 2023

TDN Rising Stars Cast Long Shadows

ParisLongchamp also stage a card running into the evening, with the feature G3 Prix Hocquart seeing Stall Nizza's ultra-impressive G3 Herzog von Ratibor-Rennen winner Alpenjager (Ger) (Nutan {Ire}) take on the French middle-distance colts. He split TDN Rising Star Mr Hollywood (Ire) (Iquitos {Ger}) and Sunday's G3 Baden-Baden Derby-Trial scorer Fantastic Moon (Ger) (Sea The Moon {Ger}) in Munich's G3 Bavarian Classic at the start of the month and that form looks red hot. Andre Fabre, whose record stands at seven winners of this, saddles two with Michael Tabor's First Minister (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) set to act as barometer of the merit of the pair of TDN Rising Stars he split in this track's Prix de Ferrieres conditions event last month. Pascal Bary will be watching keenly to see if the winner of that, Feed The Flame (GB) (Kingman {GB}), gets a boost while Jean-Claude Rouget will also be hoping that the Fabre runner shows the third-placed Silver Crack (Fr) (Cracksman {GB}) in a favourable light.

The post “It Would Be A Huge Upset Were He To Be Beaten” – Desert Crown Back In The Brigadier Gerard appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions.

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Successful in a Nottingham maiden at two, the 4-year-old won the G2 Dante S. at York in his first outing at three before rolling to a 2 1/2-length victory at Epsom. An ankle injury derailed any more starts in 2022, and the Brigadier Gerard will be his first start back. Trainer Sir Michael Stoute has won the Brigadier Gerard 11 times, and if Desert Crown delivers, it would give him an even dozen victories.

Bruce Raymond, racing manager to the owner, said, “He runs in the Brigadier for sure. We have tried to get him on the grass, but everywhere is closed, so we might have to use something on Racecourse Side, I don't know. I can't think it will be any issue.

“But he is in good shape, the horse looks good and all has gone to plan, from what I have been told.”

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“Desert Crown is in good shape,” said owner Saeeed Suhail's racing manager Bruce Raymond. “He was turned out for a bit at Darley. He was there for about eight weeks and it did him really good.

“He came back in around mid-November and I saw him last week. He looks a million dollars–you'd think it was June. He has a beautiful coat, he looks great and started cantering five days before Michael got back from Barbados. He has been cantering away, although not strong cantering. Everything has been OK.”

A winner of a maiden on debut at Nottingham as a juvenile, the bay returned to take the G2 Dante S. at York last May by 3 1/4 lengths prior to his Classic heroics. The G3 Brigadier Gerard S. near the end of May, as well as the G1 King George VI And Queen Elizabeth S. are likely targets for the 4-year-old.

He added, “I would have thought he would go to the Brigadier Gerard and then the King George. It is the usual route.

“Michael won't say anything, of course. If I ask him, he will say, 'That's for you to guess and me to know!'. So I'm guessing he's going in that direction, but he does look well and we'll just have to see what happens.”

Trainer Sir Michael Stoute would indeed not be drawn on future plans, and said, “It's February. I haven't made any plans and we don't want to get carried away with anything.”

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. #

Desert Berry, whose son Desert Crown won this year's Derby, has been bought by M V Magnier in foal to Nathaniel. Congratulations Gary Robinson & @FieldsStud. pic.twitter.com/IHyDZRp1OP

— TDN (@theTDN) November 29, 2022

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“I took the owner to see him last week,” said Bruce Raymond, Saeed Suhail's racing manager. “He is turned out daily at Darley [Stud in Newmarket]–I live just across the road.

“He goes out for maybe three hours a day and [trainer Sir] Michael [Stoute] came to see him. He said that while the weather is good, let him eat grass. 'I'm not going to do anything with him, just let him eat grass' he said.”

In regard to the long layoff, Raymond added, “[The injury] was very minor and a lesser trainer would have run him [back this season]. It's not the way Michael does things. He doesn't want to rush him back.”

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