European champion Pinatubo (Ire) (Shamardal) is doing well following his third-place finish in the G1 QIPCO 2000 Guineas and will point to the G1 St James's Palace S. at Royal Ascot. Trainer Charlie Appleby reported the Godolphin runner to be none the worse following his effort on the Rowley Mile on Saturday. The Shamardal colt suffered the first reverse of his career in the wake of Kameko (Kitten's Joy) and Wichita (Ire) (No Nay Never). Prior to the Guienas, Pinatubo won each of his six juvenile outings and boasted a rating of 128.
Appleby told Racing TV's “Luck On Sunday” programme, “First signs are very good, he ate up last night and he's been out and had a walk this morning. He lost three kilos for the race there, so we're very pleased with him.
“You wouldn't want to be losing too much more than that. I felt confident going in there his fitness levels were where they needed to be to compete and he showed that in the race, so I'm pleased. He's come out of the race well, he's eaten up and we can hopefully head on to Ascot, that's the main thing.
“He ticked every box, even throughout the race I was happy. At home he wouldn't get you excited in the mornings so I was pleased he was up there travelling and showing all his usual enthusiasm.
“Much as I feel we saw the mile out, I think we were outstayed by two horses over that trip on the day. It's an unprecedented year this year in where we are and trying to make a bit of ground up, but he gives himself every opportunity to back up quickly because he conserves energy from one race to the next.”
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