Born To Sea in ‘good shape’ for Palace bid
The half-brother to the 2009 champion three-year-old Sea The Stars failed to make the frame in both the English and Irish 2000 Guineas.
However, he finished with real purpose when fifth to Power in the latter Classic at the Curragh, and trainer John Oxx reports the Invincible Spirit colt to be in fine shape for this Group One assignment.
The opposition could include the four horses that finish ahead of him last time — Power, Foxtrot Romeo, Reply and Daddy Long Legs.
“He’s in and there’s a lot of others still in there,” said Oxx.
“He’s in good shape, he’s had a good preparation since the Guineas at the Curragh.
“All’s well with him and I couldn’t be more pleased with the way things have gone.”
Power’s trainer Aidan O’Brien is responsible for six of the 22 horses at the confirmation stage along with Daddy Long Legs, Reply, Requisition, Vault and Wrote.
French trainer Mikel Delzangles has two possibles in Dragon Pulse and Hermival, third to Camelot in the Newmarket Guineas but only sixth at the Curragh.
Other interesting entries include the unbeaten Heron Stakes winner Cogito, Fencing, Most Improved and Nine Realms.
The field was boosted by two supplementary entries – Richard Fahey’s Gabrial and the Francois Rohaut-trained Lucayan, the surprise winner in a bunch finish to the French 2000 Guineas at Longchamp.
Gabrial runs in the colours of increasingly prominent owner Dr Marwan Koukash, and was last seen winning the Silver Bowl at Haydock on firm ground off a handicap mark of 91.
Dr Koukash said: “Today I parted with £25,000 (to supplement) and hopefully he will take his chance on Tuesday.
“He’s still a baby, he still thinks it’s game but we still believe he is a Group One horse.
“I wanted him to take his chance and hopefully with better quality horses around him he will learn more and hopefully run a good race.
“I don’t think ground is an issue, as long as it’s not extremes.”
Gabrial runs in the colours of increasingly prominent owner Dr Marwan Koukash, and was last seen winning the Silver Bowl at Haydock on firm ground off a handicap mark of 91.
