Bond back at Thirsk

Monsieur Bond is set to return to action in next month’s Stanley Racing Thirsk Classic Trial, it was revealed today.

“That’s his first target,” trainer Bryan Smart said.

“He looks very well in himself. He’s wintered absolutely fantastic. He looks super. He’s not even been clipped this winter and he’s got a coat like a sea lion. I couldn’t be happier with him.”

The Sagitta 2000 Guineas entry showed high-class form as a youngster, finishing second to Zafeen in the Dubai Duty Free Mill Reef Stakes and a one-and-a-half-length third to Somnus and Dewhurst winner Tout Seul in Redcar’s Two-Year-Old Trophy despite an unfavourable high draw.

Monsieur Bond had earlier finished a close fifth to Somnus in the £200,000 (€294,000) St Leger Yearling Stakes at Doncaster after encountering trouble in running.

“He was very unlucky in one or two of his races,” Smart said.

“He got stopped in the sales race at Doncaster, which I thought he’d have won if he’d got the run.

“So with a bit of luck we could have a nice horse on our hands this year.”