In The Fast Lane

As dynamic a performer around at present, Dr Ali Ridha's machine-like Gifted Master (Ire) (Kodiac {GB}) takes to Haydock on Saturday to further cement his Royal Ascot claims in the G2 Sandy Lane S. So impressive when taking apart the field assembled for Ascot's G3 Pavilion S. over this six-furlong trip last time Apr. 27, the bay's form holds up to the closest inspection, with the likes of Washington DC (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}) and Beacon Rock (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) winning in the last few days, having trailed him in recent runs. As he builds toward the June 17 G1 Commonwealth Cup, he looks for a six-timer here, having dominated the G3 Autumn S. over a mile at Newmarket in October and that track's £500,000 Tattersalls Millions 2yo Trophy and £100,000 Tattersalls Millions 3-y-o Sprint over seven and six furlongs, respectively. “He's in great shape. This is another step up in grade for him and it looks a good race, but we're very happy with his condition,” trainer Hugo Palmer commented. “Something would need to go very badly wrong for him not to go to the [G1] Commonwealth Cup. The worry I have in terms of Saturday's race is Haydock is a much easier six furlongs than Ascot, and I don't think he's really a sprinter. I think he's probably more of a seven-furlong horse or a miler, but he'd have to carry a penalty if he went for the Jersey at Ascot, so we're keen to go for the Commonwealth over the stiff six.”

In a strong renewal of this newly-promoted contest, Godolphin's Buratino (Ire) (Exceed and Excel {Aus}) is back in his comfort zone, having finished a tame ninth in the G1 2000 Guineas at Newmarket Apr. 30. Over this trip he was the impressive winner of Royal Ascot's G2 Coventry S. last June, and was third in the G1 Phoenix S. at The Curragh in August and second in the G1 Middle Park S. at Newmarket in September. “I'm far from convinced his run in the Guineas was purely down to the trip,” trainer Mark Johnston said. “It is just as likely it could have been down to the ground and his well-being on the day. The form of both the 2000 and the 1000 Guineas has been turned around since, and we're just trying to reduce the variables by bringing him back to six furlongs on what will hopefully be fast ground. He's very well and we'll see what he can do.”

Last year's G2 Gimcrack S. scorer Ajaya (GB) (Invincible Spirit {Ire}), who was a latest fourth in the Middle Park, and the G2 Criterium de Maisons-Laffitte scorer Donjuan Triumphant (Ire) (Dream Ahead), who signed off with a fourth in the G1 Criterium International over seven furlongs at Saint-Cloud in November, add more lustre to the race, along with the two fillies La Rioja (GB) (Hellvelyn {GB}) and Quiet Reflection (GB) (Showcasing {GB}). Successful in the G3 Dick Poole Fillies' S. over six furlongs at Salisbury in September, La Rioja is held in high regard by Henry Candy and he said, “She seems to be perking up a bit now. She had been a bit quiet through the cold, wet spring we had. I'm pleased with her form now but we'll just have to see how she'll handle the fast ground. I'd have probably preferred it a bit softer to be honest, as we know she goes on it. If we are to be looking at running her in the Commonwealth Cup, which we are at present, she'll need to run very well otherwise we'll have to lower our sights.”

Successful in the G3 Cornwallis S. over five furlongs at Newmarket in October and the G3 Prix Sigy over this trip at Chantilly last time Apr. 10, Quiet Reflection is still open to improvement, and trainer Karl Burke has high hopes. “She's in great order and I think she's going under the radar a little bit,” he said. “Hopefully, she'll run a big race. She's improved an awful lot from her run in France. That's probably why she is going under the radar, if they take that form literally. My horses weren't in form then. She's come on bundles. I'll be disappointed if she doesn't put up a big show.”