Denied a re-introductory run in Sunday's G1 Tattersalls Gold Cup when the weather turned at The Curragh, Khalid Abdullah's Time Test (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) returns instead in the G3 Brigadier Gerard S. at Sandown on Thursday. Set to race under a five-pound penalty as a result of his win in the G2 Joel S. over a mile at Newmarket in September, the homebred is back at 10 furlongs in this prestigious affair, which has played host to the likes of Mtoto (GB), Pilsudski (Ire), Bosra Sham and Workforce (GB). With Time Test's most impressive performance coming at this distance in Royal Ascot's G3 Tercentenary S. in June, there are no stamina concerns as he gears up for a possible run against the Japanese sensation A Shin Hikari (Jpn) (Deep Impact {Jpn}) at the Royal meeting. “He went to Ireland, which was 12 hours there and 12 hours back, so it's not an ideal preparation but he's traveled well and there really aren't any other races for him to run in before Ascot,” trainer Roger Charlton commented. “We only want to run if the ground is fast, but it looks like it will be.”
Up until his disappointing effort when eighth in the G1 Dubai Turf over nine furlongs at Meydan Mar. 26, Sheikh Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum's 'TDN Rising Star' Intilaaq (Dynaformer) had looked highly progressive and destined for the top level. He beat last year's Listed Heron S. winner and G1 St James's Palace S. third Consort (Ire) (Lope de Vega {Ire}) in Newbury's Listed Steventon S. over this trip in July before adding the G3 Rose of Lancaster S. over an extended 10 furlongs at Haydock in August. “Intilaaq looks in terrific shape and his recent work has been excellent,” trainer Roger Varian said. “Ten furlongs at a track like Sandown should be ideal for him, as should decent ground, which he ought to encounter tomorrow evening. It is a competitive renewal of the race, but I am sure he will run well.”
Although he won this 12 months ago and performs particularly well at this track, Robin Geffen and Rachel Hood's Western Hymn (GB) (High Chaparral {Ire}) was unable to capitalise on a receipt of seven pounds from Cannock Chase (Lemon Drop Kid) in the G3 Huxley S. over this trip at Chester last time May 5 and it will be an anti-climax if he is able to eclipse Time Test here.
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