Ground worries for Pastoral
Registered as the Hackwood Stakes, the Group Three contest in 2004 was won by the four-year-old’s sire, Pastoral Pursuits, who won the July Cup the following season.
While Morrison is taking it one race at a time with Pas toral Player, the Wokingham third steps back up in trip, having tried five furlongs at Sandown last time from a poor draw.
“He’s come out of Sandown in good form and I don’t think he had a particularly hard race that day, so he’s ready to go again,” said Morrison.
“I think at Sandown unless you’re drawn one, two or three in those sprints there is no point turning up.
“We were wondering whether five furlongs would be an option for him at somewhere like Sandown and while we didn’t really find out for sure, we’re back to six on Saturday.
“I don’t mind a bit of rain but I just hope the ground doesn’t end up being loose – that’s my fear, really.
“I think he can handle soft ground but he just doesn’t like it when it’s loose.”
Regal Parade, last year’s winner, is back for another go for Dandy and Adrian Nicholls. The seven-year-old followed up his victory in this 12 months ago by winning the Group One Prix Maurice de Gheest.
He finished four and a half lengths behind Dream Ahead in the July Cup last weekend and will not have to carry a penalty for this afternoon’s assignment.
“I was very happy with him last week. I didn’t get any room with him in the July Cup from the two-furlong marker but it’s the first time this season I felt him pick up,” said his jockey.
“Ideally, they could have gone quicker as they didn’t go much of a gallop.
“Ninth on form doesn’t look a great result but I was chuffed and it would be nice for him to get his head in front so he can go into the Prix Maurice de Gheest with a bit of confidence.
