Voice to take Champion chance
The progressive three-year-old edged out the talented Rip Van Winkle in a thrilling finish to last month’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes and is now set to step up to a mile and a quarter for the first time on Saturday week.
Racing manager Simon Crisford said: “We have decided to supplement Poet’s Voice for the Champion Stakes at Newmarket instead of the Breeders’ Cup Mile at Churchill Downs to limit his travelling at this stage of his career.
“We also feel that 10 furlongs could be the best trip for him now that he is settled so well and it is possible that a sharp mile around two bends could work against him.”
It will cost connections £30,000 (€34,391) to add him to the field on Monday.
Twice Over continues ticking over to Henry Cecil’s satisfaction ahead of his defence of the Group One event.
Cecil said: “Twice Over seems in great form.
“It was a funny race in Ireland. He couldn’t pick the other horse up, I don’t know why.
“But he seems very well and I’m sure he’s going to run very well next week.”
Ed Dunlop confirmed his dual Oaks winner Snow Fairy as a likely contender as long as the ground is suitable.
Last seen finishing fourth in the St Leger, the Intikhab filly will be stepping back to 10 furlongs before heading off on her travels.
Meanwhile, Richard Fahey is going all out to win the Coral Sprint Trophy for the third year in succession with no less than five runners in the valuable York handicap today.
The Malton handler saddled Fonthill Road to land the prize in 2008, while Kaldoun Kingdom is back for more after taking top honours 12 months ago.
Joining him are old favourite Knot In Wood, Quest For Success, Brae Hill and Irish Heartbeat, the latter being the choice of stable jockey Paul Hanagan.
“Kaldoun Kingdom is finding it tough now off a mark of 105, but he ran a blinder in the Ayr Gold Cup and I was delighted with him,” said Fahey.
“Because he ran well, the handicapper didn’t drop him, but he’s a very genuine horse and will love the ground.
“Brae Hill showed a lot of speed the other day at Newmarket and I was pleased with that run on soft ground, which I thought he didn’t like.
“Knot In Wood ran well at Ayr as well but then got beat at Hamilton. The handicapper has given him a chance but he hasn’t won this year, which is a bit frustrating. He does love York, though.
“Irish Heartbeat is in great order and Paul chose to ride him. He’s a strong travelling horse and if they go flat out it will suit him – they won’t take him off the bridle.
“Quest For Success loves the ground and ran well the other day as well, so they all have a chance. I wouldn’t like to have been in Paul’s position, it’s a tough choice.”
Sprint king David Nicholls surprisingly saddles just one runner, with Tajneed the Thirsk handler’s only representative. The seven-year-old was an impressive winner on his latest appearance at Thirsk but recently had to be withdrawn at the start of the Ayr Gold Cup having refused to enter the stalls.
