Alcazar bids for third Sagaro

Hughie Morrison’s evergreen stayer Alcazar bids for back-to-back victories in the Hesmonds Stud Sagaro Stakes at Lingfield tomorrow.

The 11-year-old defeated Franklins Gardens by a neck in the Group Three contest 12 months ago and he also won a controversial renewal in 2003 when the two-mile event was held at Ascot, its traditional home.

Alcazar ended the last campaign on a high note by registering his first Group One success in the Prix Royal-Oak at Longchamp.

“He seems very well. I’m just trying to get a run into him,” said Morrison.

“He’s got a 7lb penalty and that has to be a concern. He is 11 after all.”

His seven rivals are headed by the nine-year-old Cover Up. Sir Michael Stoute-trained gelding took the Group Three Jockey Club by half-a-length from Tungsten Strike and Amanda Perrett’s charge re-opposes.

Hearthstead Wings, trained by Mark Johnston, makes a quick reappearance following his victory over a mile and a half at Ripon on Saturday.

Geoff Wragg’s Larkwing and the Andrew Balding-trained Casual Glance, fourth and seventh respectively behind Frank Sonata at Nottingham, renew rivalry. The field is completed by Openide and Sworn In.