Percy limbers up for return

Vodafone Derby winner Sir Percy will have his preparation for an autumn target stepped up a gear this week.

The son of Mark Of Esteem has not been seen in racecourse action since his dramatic short-head victory over Dragon Dancer at Epsom on June 3.

He got jarred up in the premier Classic but trainer Marcus Tregoning has given him plenty of time to recover and has expressed his satisfaction with the colt’s progress.

He said: “He’s very well. I’m very happy with him and he’ll start his work in earnest towards the end of the week. He’s doing very well and looks an absolute picture.

“He’s put weight on but not too much, just right. He’ll have a racecourse spin somewhere – maybe two even – but he’ll be ready when he goes that is for certain.”

All being well Sir Percy will then be aimed at either the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp on October 1 or the Emirates Airline Champion Stakes at Newmarket 13 days later.