Arabian Crown Camp Eyeing Great Voltigeur as a Likely Starting Point

Group winner Arabian Crown (Fr) (Dubawi {Ire}) is recovering well from his spring setback that ruled him out of early Classic contention, and trainer Charlie Appleby has penciled in the G2 Great Voltigeur on Aug. 21 as a likely starting point.

The Godolphin runner, successful in the Listed Stonehenge Stakes and G3 Zetland Stakes at two, claimed Sandown's G3 Classic Trial Stakes by 3 1/4 lengths in April. He sustained his setback in mid-May and has been recovering in the interim.

“He's very much on the comeback trail and it is very much nip and tuck if I get him there [York] on time and he's very much a horse for the future, so I won't be forcing the issue,” said the Moulton Paddocks handler, who will be heading to Berlin to cheer on England in Sunday's Euro 2024 final.

“It's probably good to have Ancient Wisdom around [for the race] and it has probably helped us. Even though it is always nice to have two in a race, but I'm not going to force Arabian Crown.

“He's very much on the comeback and we hope to see him again later this year. He's a horse who appreciates a bit of cut in the ground, so he's an autumn, back-end horse.”