O’Brien hopeful about Think’s chances
The Derby-winning jockey rode So You Think, beaten in this race 12 months ago by Rewilding, in the Dubai World Cup, in which he was fourth, and to an easy victory last time out in the Tattersalls Gold Cup.
“He seems to have come on from his run at the Curragh OK and we’re hoping for a good run,” said O’Brien jnr.
“Carlton House had a nice start to the year and might be the one to beat.”
Carlton House bids to give Queen Elizabeth a big winner at Royal Ascot in Diamond Jubilee year. Victory for Her Majesty’s colt in the mile-and-a-quarter showpiece would be ample compensation for his narrow defeat in the Derby last year when he finished a close third after little went right in the race.
Carlton House was then a disappointing fourth in the Irish Derby at the Curragh, after which he missed the remainder of the season.
The Street Cry colt only returned to action at Sandown last month but looked impressive in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes over this distance.
Trainer Sir Michael Stoute said: “It was a satisfactory return in the Brigadier Gerard at Sandown.
“He’s got a great attitude. When you look back to the Dante, third time on a racecourse, he came through a very narrow gap there.
“Sandown the other night he really wanted it. In the Derby he wanted it but nothing went right.”
