Cecil happy to be starting Over
“Something was amiss at Ascot. He had been pleasing me before in his work but on the day he never seemed happy,” said the Warren Place handler.
“It was very out of character as he wouldn’t enter the saddling box or the paddock and he was reluctant to go into the stalls.
“He ran no sort of race and was distressed afterwards, so much so that we left him at Ascot overnight rather than travel him home straight away.
“However, since that run he has been working well and I hope he can show his true form on Saturday.”
Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to owner Khalid Abdullah, believes this drop in class is just what the horse wants to restore his confidence.
“We were a little disappointed at Ascot, we thought he would run a lot better than he did. He has come out of the race fine and he has been training really well and enthusiastically, so we thought a little drop down in grade would be a confidence booster,” he said.
“He was second to Rip Van Winkle in the Juddmonte International over the course and distance last year, so he knows the place. I would think there will be some ease in the ground, which would not upset him.
“There are never any gimmies in this game and there are some good horses in there, but we hope the race will set up nicely for him.”
Jockey Tom Queally also feels this race is ideal for Twice Over to get back in the winning groove.
“We haven’t seen the best of him this year, but this looks like a lovely opportunity for him to get back to winning ways,” he told racinguk.com.
“Remember, he’s a dual Champion Stakes and Eclipse winner, real championship races, and I think he has a massive chance with this drop in class.”
In stark contrast, Dominant is stepping up markedly after landing a big sales pot at Newmarket last month.
“He seems to have taken his last run at Newmarket in his stride and I’ve been pleased with his work,” said trainer Roger Varian.
“He’s on a mark of 108 now and we want to keep the horse at 10 furlongs.”
