Ante-post favourite Jack Hobbs pleased trainer John Gosden in his final piece of work yesterday ahead of the 150th Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby at the Curragh on Saturday.
Gosden is seeking to win the Irish classic for the first time with the colt that finished second behind stable companion Golden Horn in the Investec Derby at Epsom earlier this month.
"He worked with William Buick on him and we were happy with him and the horse seems in good order," said the Newmarket handler. "We would appreciate a shower or two and something close to good ground but we are pleased with the horse and we'll be heading over, all being well, between now and the weekend.
“He handled Epsom surprisingly well for a tall, rangy horse and we hoped the Curragh would suit him better and it was the plan to always come here and we are holding with it.”
Toughest test
Dermot Weld
, meanwhile, would like to see some rain fall on the Curragh before committing Brooch to Sunday’s Sea The Stars Pretty Polly Stakes.
Unbeaten in four starts, the four-year-old would be facing her toughest test to date.
The Khalid Abdullah-owned filly landed the Lanwades Stud Stakes in fine style on her only run this season but prefers a bit of dig in the ground. “She’s a nice filly, she’s been progressing well,” said Weld. “We’ll just have to see what the ground is like for her. She likes a bit of cut, so we’d need some rain to consider running.”
Telescope could bid to put his below-par performance at Royal Ascot behind him by returning to the track next month for a shot at the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
The Michael Stoute-trained five-year old saw his quest to land back-to-back renewals of the Hardwicke Stakes end in disappointment on Saturday after he trailed home a well beaten sixth in the Group Two contest behind stablemate Snow Sky.
Despite the setback, connections of the son of Galileo have not ruled out stepping him back up to Group One company for a second shot at the July 25th showpiece, having finished second in it 12 months ago.
Harry Herbert, racing manager to owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing, said: "Telescope is absolutely fine. The fast ground combined with the slow tempo was not for him. He ran the worst race of his life which was incredibly disappointing but both Ryan Moore and Sir Michael Stoute have said we have just got to put a line through it. It was all wrong for him in what was a muddling race.
“He likes a decent pace where he can get into a rhythm. Ryan said there was no good in the ground it was just firm.
“The King George is a consideration as is the Princess of Wales’s Stakes. These are a couple of options and we will look nearer the time.”
While a return to top-level company could be on the cards for Telescope, a drop down in grade is under consideration for Ribblesdale Stakes runner-up Pamona.
Although the Luca Cumani-trained three-year-old holds an entry in the Darley Irish Oaks at the Curragh next month, a shot at the Group One prize is likely to be swerved.
Herbert added: “The Irish Oaks is a possibility for Pamona but having spoken to Luca it may be we go for a listed race or a Group Three to nail that bold black type before going back up the ladder.
Agenda
“She was knocked in the straight in the Ribblesdale and though she wouldn’t have won she would have probably finished closer. She is a class filly that is improving every with run. She might go and run a big race in the Irish Oaks but at this stage we feel we may step her back in grade.” An ease in class could also be next on the agenda for Chesham Stakes fifth Force with connections keen for him to lose his maiden status before plotting more challenging tasks.
Herbert said: “We were very pleased with Force’s run in the Chesham as he is still green and immature.
“A stiff six furlongs should suit him so he could go to Newmarket’s July meeting to try and win a maiden. He is a great strong horse, hopefully with a bright future.”
Herbert also stressed that nothing had yet been lined up for St James’s Palace Stakes third Consort.
