William Haggas | Horse Racing Free Tips

Addeybb To Stay In Eclipse

Despite his reputation as a soft-ground specialist, Addeybb (GB) (Pivotal {GB}) will run in Saturday's G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown whatever the underfoot conditions, trainer William Haggas said.

A triple Group 1 winner last year, Addeybb has not been seen since returning this spring from his latest stint in Australia, where he defended his title in the G1 Queen Elizabeth S. and finished second in the G1 Ranvet S., both times over ground drier than his preference. Addeybb romped in last year's G1 Champion S. over the heavy Ascot going.

“He's fine and he's ready to race. We've had this in mind since he got back from Australia so we're pleased to be there,” Haggas told Sky Sports Racing. “I'd be pretty loath to take him out because he needs to race. You can't keep practising on the [Newmarket] Heath and in the nets and not get out in the middle. He needs a run.”

The Eclipse has come under some criticism this week for its small field size, but Haggas said he think it will be an intriguing clash of the generations.

“Here you've got a really top-class speedier 3-year-old [St Mark's Basilica] who's won two Classics and won the Dewhurst last year, so he's obviously a very good horse. You've got Mishriff, who won a French Derby and really excelled in Saudi Arabia and Dubai, and then our fella who keeps battling away and bashing away. He's as reliable a yardstick as you can get. If the ground came up soft, heavy in places, our chance would increase and maybe St Mark's Basilicia's wouldn't, so who knows what's going to happen.”

Haggas also provided an update on Shadwell's G3 Hampton Court S. winner Mohaafeth (GB) (Frankel {GB}), who goes next to the G2 York S. on July 24. Mohaafeth will be ridden by Dane O'Neill, with first-call stable jockey Jim Crowley required at Ascot for Al Aasy (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in the G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S.

“We knocked the Eclipse on the head last weekend and he's going to go for the Sky Bet race at York on July 24, which is unfortunate for Jim, but good for Dane, because that's the same day as the King George,” Haggas said. “The horse that won the King Edward [Alenquer] is hopefully going for the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris on July 14, so we've got a busy few weeks coming up.”

The G1 Coronation S. runner-up Al Aasy has the option to warm up for the King George in next week's G2 Princess of Wales's S., but his trainer said it is likely he will head straight to Ascot.

“The King George is very much the plan. Whether he goes for the Princess of Wales's S., I'm not sure–I doubt it,” Haggas said. “He'll probably go straight for the King George. He worked beautifully again yesterday and is on target to go where we want him. We just have to decide whether going to Newmarket might take the edge off him for Ascot, which wouldn't be sensible. My gut feeling is he'll probably go straight to Ascot.”

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Addeybb Eclipse Assignment Ground Dependent

Four-time Group 1 winner Addeybb (Ire) (Pivotal {GB}) traveled down the road for a racecourse gallop at Newmarket on Friday in preparation for next weekend's G1 Eclipse S. at Sandown, but trainer William Haggas insisted the 7-year-old gelding will only run if 'soft' is in the going description.

“He hasn't run since Sydney in April so it was nice to get him away,” said Haggas. “It wasn't trying to get him fitter, it was just a mental thing as much as a physical thing. When you are looking at summer racing you need to be lucky to get rain on the day to make it as soft as he likes it. Running in the Eclipse will depend on how much rain falls. There is a balance between keeping training him and not running him. That's difficult.

“We hope very much that it will be very soft for the Eclipse but I very much doubt it will be. If the word soft is in the going he will probably run as he needs to run. Good to soft is the quickest I would run him on.”

Addeybb recorded his first two Group 1 wins at last year's Sydney autumn carnival in the Ranvet S. and Queen Elizabeth S., and relished the soft ground when taking the G1 Champion S. at Ascot in October. Haggas insisted the chestnut's title-defending win in this year's Queen Elizabeth over good ground was down to his class.

“He loves travelling and really enjoys it,” the trainer said. “He had a great spell in Australia this year on ground that wasn't soft enough for him but he tries hard. If the conditions had been like they are here he wouldn't have run. He can't take too many races on fastish ground. Summer ground is not really for him. Summer soft is different to autumn and spring soft when it is proper soft so Champions Day is right up his street as he loves that heavy ground. We sort of have to work our season around that.”

Should the ground rule Addeybb out of the Eclipse, Haggas has an able stand-in in the form of Shadwell's G3 Hampton Court S. winner Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), whose ground preferences are quite contrasting to his elder stablemate's.

“It is very possible Mohaafeth could run as he wants quick ground so we will see,” Haggas said. “I've not worked him yet so we will see what he is like. He was very good at Ascot.”

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Adlerflug’s Alenquer Prevails In King Edward Test

After Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) had provided William Haggas with solace for having to watch the G1 Epsom Derby take place without his star colts, M M Stables' Alenquer (Fr) (Adlerflug {Ger}) also came to Royal Ascot to add further consolation in Friday's G2 King Edward VII S. There is no doubt he would have played a major role in this year's blue riband on the bare form of his defeat of Adayar (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) in the Apr. 23 G3 Sandown Classic Trial, but after a subsequent setback this was the path he was set upon and he duly regained all momentum in the 'Ascot Derby'. Always comfortable racing in rear in the rain-soaked ground, the 13-8 favourite was sent forward by Tom Marquand to tackle Tasman Bay (Fr) (Le Havre {Ire}) inside the final two furlongs and he was already in command as they passed the furlong pole. At the line, he had 1 1/2 lengths to spare over that imposing rival, with Title (GB) (Camelot {GB}) 2 1/2 lengths back in third. “When a horse does that, with a subsequent Derby winner behind, everyone expects a high level afterwards and he made my life easy,” the winning rider said. “William showed that patience is a virtue yesterday and it shows the wisdom he brings–they could have supplemented this horse and thrown him in the deep end in the Derby but instead came here and I think looking back in a few months time it will have been a blessing. On this ground, saving energy is key and I was really happy with the rhythm he found. The race opened out beautifully from the three and I always felt like I had plenty of horse to go for. It's onwards and upwards for him, I think.”

Alenquer, who was also second in the Listed Ascendant S. on testing ground at Haydock in September, could yet be Classic-bound according to Maureen Haggas. “He could easily be a [Sept. 11 G1] St Leger horse, but it's hard to know really,” she said. “He wasn't stopping here, so I think we will just see how it goes. He didn't do much wrong last year, but he was probably a bit immature still. He surprised us a little bit at Sandown, but he's more grown up this year. He's a bit of a boy at home, but at the races this year he's been really professional and focused and he's definitely going the right way.”

“I think he was a bit fresh though, a little bit keen the first furlong, but once Tom had him in behind and settled, he was great. To be honest, we didn't know whether the ground would suit or not, but this horse is German and German horses often go in the slow ground, so we thought we'd give it a go and find out. I think he is pretty versatile–just a thoroughly nice, tough, genuine horse and a good guy to have around. He's got a pretty good action on him–I wouldn't say he was ground-dependent.” William added, “He isn't in the [G1] Grand Prix de Paris, but we could go there. It is such a pain getting to France at the minute, but it's on July 14, so it's pretty good timing. We could supplement, because it's a good race. He's not a 'today' horse–he's very much for the longer term as well, so we've lots of exciting options.”

Sir Mark Todd said of Tasman Bay, “That was a super run. He is such a lovely horse–he is huge, with a massive stride. He is lovely to ride. He just got a bit keen early on, but when he kicked I thought he might have had it but the other horse just came at him. He is a beautiful mover and seems to act on anything.”

Alenquer is the second foal out of Wild Blossom (Ger) (Areion {Ger}), who is a half-sister to the Listed Junioren-Preis winner Wilder Wein (Ger) (Soldier Hollow {GB}) and a granddaughter of the influential Waitotara (Ire) (Habitat). The second dam of Hong Kong's champion stayer Mr Medici (Ire) (Medicean {GB}) and the excellent producer Wild Romance (Ger) (Alkalde {Ger}), she is therefore the ancestress of the likes of the G3 Prix Miesque winner and G1 Preis der Diana runner-up White Rose (Ger) (Platini {Ger}), the G2 EuropaChampionat winner Wild Side (Ger) (Sternkonig {Ire}), her triple group-winning daughter Wild Coco (Ger) (Shirocco {Ger}) and the G2 Oettingen-Rennen scorer Vintager (GB) (Mastercraftsman {Ire}). Wild Blossom also has a 2-year-old filly by Zarak (Fr) and a yearling colt by Galiway (GB) bought for €100,000 by Haras de Meautry at the Arqana December Breeding Stock Sale.

Friday, Royal Ascot, Britain
KING EDWARD VII S.-G2, £173,400, Ascot, 6-18, 3yo, c/g, 11f 211yT, 2:41.31, hy.
1–ALENQUER (FR), 126, c, 3, by Adlerflug (Ger)
1st Dam: Wild Blossom (Ger), by Areion (Ger)
2nd Dam: Wind in her Hair (Ger), by Turtle Island (Ire)
3rd Dam: Waitotara (Ire), by Habitat
(€18,000 Wlg '18 ARQDE; 80,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-M M Stables; B-Gestut Romerhof (FR); T-William Haggas; J-Tom Marquand. £98,335. Lifetime Record: 4-3-1-0, $183,498. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Tasman Bay (Fr), 126, c, 3, Le Havre (Ire)–Purely Priceless (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). (€220,000 Ylg '19 ARAUG). O-Sir Peter Vela; B-SARL de Chambure, Haras d'Etreham & SARL Ecurie des Charmes (FR); T-Sir Mark Todd. £37,281.
3–Title (Ire), 126, c, 3, Camelot (GB)–Danehill's Dream (Ire), by Danehill. (€175,000 Ylg '19 GOFOR). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Charles Church); B-Llang Bloodstock (IRE); T-Roger Varian. £18,658.
Margins: 1HF, 2HF, 3/4. Odds: 1.63, 10.00, 5.00.
Also Ran: The Mediterranean (Ire), Gear Up (Ire), Belloccio (Fr). Scratched: Gloucestershire, Yibir (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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Hampton Court Compensation For Frankel’s Mohaafeth

Denied a tilt at the G1 Epsom Derby due to the eve-of-race downpour, Shadwell's Mohaafeth (Ire) (Frankel {GB}) had luck on his side on Thursday and after the overnight thunderstorm had bypassed Ascot duly showed his wares in the G3 Hampton Court S. Anchored towards the back early by Jim Crowley, the 11-8 favourite had to come five-wide on the home bend but had the engine to get to the front passing two out as Roman Empire (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) stuck close by. Drifting away from the whip and across that Ballydoyle rival soon after, the William Haggas-trained chestnut who had stunned in the May 1 Listed Newmarket S. over this 10-furlong trip had to dig deeper this time. Making the margin 1 3/4 lengths at the line, he was allowed to keep the race after an inquiry with Roman Empire in turn a head in front of Secret Protector (War Front) who had been five lengths behind the winner in the Newmarket. “No one will ever know whether we made the right decision on Derby day, but the mile-and-a-half trip on that ground would have been tough,” Haggas said. “He wasn't exactly powering away today and maybe that's his trip or shorter. He doesn't look a stayer physically and Jim [Crowley] said coming in 'you were absolutely right not to run in the Derby', so I felt a bit better for that.”

Spared the gruelling nature of a disappointment in the Derby, Mohaafeth still boasts the profile of a colt going places and while this was his first proper test he was able to employ his acceleration to get himself out of trouble. This was not as smooth as his two prior performances at Newmarket, but the chestnut now has experience of a fight and Haggas was keen to stress it was all about the future. “He's got a nice turn of foot and on quick ground will continue to be quite dangerous,” he continued. “We are in no rush with him–he's got the chance of being a top horse and he has plenty of mileage in him. He's proven he's a good horse and now he's got to get up to group 2 and group 1 level to prove he's a very good horse. He's in the [July 3 G1] Eclipse [at Sandown], but it depends on where we get that ground. I've never made a secret of the fact that he wants it fast, as he has a daisy-cutting action. Missing the Derby was sad, as it's a huge race but I was always concerned about the trip and then when it rained it became, for me, an easier decision not to run him. I think if he's going to go one way, he'll go shorter not longer.”

“I think it probably didn't go his way today,” Haggas added. “Jim was concerned about the horse of Roger Varian's who was up the front and he was quite far behind and he said, by his own admission, he'd gone a bit early. The horse kept going, that's the main thing, and he did run across the track a bit but he's probably used up a lot of petrol getting there.”

The Normandie Stud-bred dam French Dressing (GB) (Sea the Stars {Ire}) was an unbeaten TDN Rising Star in 2015 whose two starts included the Listed Lyric S. She is one of three black-type winners out of the Listed Lupe S. winner and G2 Sun Chariot S. runner-up Foodbroker Fancy (Ire) (Halling) alongside the GIII Long Island H. winner Dalvina (GB) (Grand Lodge) and Soft Centre (GB) (Zafonic) who emulated her dam's success in the Lupe. Dalvina, who was also third in the G2 Ribblesdale S. at this meeting, went on to produce the dual listed scorer and G2 Sandown Classic runner-up Dal Harraild (GB) (Champs Elysees {GB}), while Soft Centre was responsible for the G1 Nassau S. and G3 Pinnacle S. heroine Sultanina (GB) (New Approach {Ire}) as well as Coconut Creme (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) who was runner-up in the re-named Lupe, the Listed Height of Fashion S. Also connected to the G3 Sandown Sprint S. and Listed Windsor Castle S. winner and G1 Nunthorpe S.-placed Extortionist (Ire) (Dandy Man {Ire}), French Dressing also has the unraced 2-year-old colt French Toast (GB) (Dark Angel {Ire}) and a yearling filly by Kingman (GB) named French Mistress (GB).

Thursday, Royal Ascot, Britain
HAMPTON COURT S.-G3, £75,000, Ascot, 6-17, 3yo, 9f 212yT, 2:05.72, g/f.
1–MOHAAFETH (IRE), 126, c, 3, by Frankel (GB)
1st Dam: French Dressing (GB) (SW-Eng), by Sea The Stars (Ire)
2nd Dam: Foodbroker Fancy (Ire), by Halling
3rd Dam: Red Rita (Ire), by Kefaah
1ST GROUP WIN. (350,000gns Ylg '19 TATOCT). O-Shadwell Estate Company Ltd; B-Normandie Stud Ltd (IRE); T-William Haggas; J-Jim Crowley. £44,400. Lifetime Record: 6-4-0-1, $108,474. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Roman Empire (Ire), 126, c, 3, Galileo (Ire)–Shermeen (Ire), by Desert Style (Ire). O-Michael Tabor, Derrick Smith & Susan Magnier; B-Barronstown Stud (IRE); T-Aidan O'Brien. £16,793.
3–Secret Protector, 126, c, 3, War Front–Eternal Bounty (Ire), by Galileo (Ire). ($800,000 Ylg '19 KEESEP). O-Godolphin; B-R S Evans (KY); T-Charlie Appleby. £8,393.
Margins: 1 3/4, HD, 2 1/4. Odds: 1.38, 14.00, 11.00.
Also Ran: Snapraeterea (Ire), Movin Time (GB), The Rosstafarian (Ire), One Ruler (Ire), Matchless (Ire), Notre Belle Bete (GB). Scratched: Pythagoras (Ire). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. Video, sponsored by TVG.

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