Waldgeist Signs Off At Ascot

Gestut Ammerland's Waldgeist (GB) (Galileo {Ire}) is a welcome visitor to Ascot on Saturday for what will be his seasonal finale in the G3 Gigaset Cumberland Lodge S. Last year's G1 Criterium de Saint-Cloud hero is without a win in 2017, but he was a short-head second to Brametot (Ire) (Rajsaman {Fr}) in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly June 4 before finishing fourth in the G1 Irish Derby at The Curragh at the start of July. “He hasn't run for quite a long time, but he is in good form and I am happy with him going into the race,” trainer Andre Fabre commented. “He has had no problems since the Irish Derby. We just wanted to give him plenty of time. I wanted to avoid the big races with him, as I think he will be a good four-year-old. I didn't want to run him in the Arc and races like that, as hopefully he will stay in training and have a good campaign next season. This will be his last run of the season.”

Godolphin's Secret Number (GB) (Raven's Pass) captured this prize four years ago and showed he is as good as ever on his last two starts when winning the G2 International Bosphorus Cup at Veliefendi Sept. 3 and finishing third in the G3 Dubai Duty Free Legacy Cup at Newbury Sept. 23. “Secret Number won nicely out in Turkey and ran a good race last time at Newbury, when he was a little unlucky,” trainer Saeed bin Suroor commented. “He has won this race in the past and a mile and a half around Ascot suits him well.”