If his win in last year's G1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth S. represented a breakthrough for Highland Reel (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}), his tour de force in the GI Breeders' Cup Turf was confirmation that he has become a cast-iron top-flight performer for a Ballydoyle stable which holds the record of seven winners in Epsom's G1 Investec Coronation Cup. Joined by his luckless brother Idaho (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) and US Army Ranger (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) in Friday's edition, he leads a strong challenge as he tackles these unique contours for the first time. His manner of dictating from the front may well be ideal for this track and he will enjoy this ground more than the yielding surface he encountered when a disappointing last of seven in the G1 Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan on Mar. 25. Idaho, who stumbled and unseated Seamie Heffernan when favourite for the G1 St Leger at Doncaster in September before finishing fifth after a slow start in the GI Canadian International at Woodbine the following month, is held in high regard by his trainer, who said, “We've always thought Idaho would get to the same level as Highland Reel. Physically, maybe he's a bit bigger and stronger than him. Things haven't always fallen for him–unusual things have happened, like what happened in the St Leger. We think he's progressing all the time and will progress through the year.”
John Gosden is supplying some chief opposition to Ballydoyle throughout the weekend and he puts forward George Strawbridge's Journey (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) here. Last seen winning Ascot's G1 G1 Qipco British Champions Fillies & Mares S. over this trip by upwards of four lengths from the Group and Grade 1 winners Speedy Boarding (GB) (Shamardal) and Queen's Trust (GB) (Dansili {GB}), she would prefer some ease in the ground. “We've been pointing her towards this race for some time and she worked nicely on Sunday,” her trainer said. “We are very happy with her, but I think she will come on a lot for the race. It looks a good version of the race and she will appreciate any rain that comes. She handles most ground, but I think she enjoys a little bit of give. Track-wise, we will find out on the day. You don't really know how they are going to handle it until they race around there.”
Godolphin have three engaged headed by last year's G1 Eclipse S. winner Hawkbill (Kitten's Joy), who was impressive at this trip when successful in the G3 Aston Park S. at Newbury on May 20. Fellow Charlie Appleby trainee Frontiersman (GB) (Dubawi {Ire}) has yet to be campaigned in black-type company, so it is significant that the son of Ouija Board (GB) (Cape Cross {Ire}) has been supplemented. “We've declared the pair of them and as long as it's genuine good ground, all being well, Hawkbill will take his chance,” Appleby commented. “If it dried out more than people are expecting, we might have to have a rethink, but he's been in good form since Newbury and if conditions are right he's capable of running a big race. It's obviously a big step up for Frontiersman, but he's working really well at home. If he translates what he's doing on a morning to the race he could be bang there.”
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