Stoute bids for repeat

Papal Bull bids to give Michael Stoute back-to-back victories in the Betfair Brigadier Gerard Stakes at Sandown on Thursday evening.

The Newmarket trainer took the Group Three event with Notnowcato 12 months ago and relies on last summer’s King Edward VII Stakes winner this time.

Papal Bull was fourth to Sixties Icon on his reappearance at Newmarket and aims to turn the tables on Jane Chapple-Hyam’s Mighty, who was two and a half lengths ahead of him in third place there.

Tam Lin, trained last year by Stoute, has his first run since joining the Godolphin team. The four-year-old was last seen finishing second to Blue Monday at Newbury in September.

Barry Hills saddles Mashaahed, who made an encouraging reappearance when second to Red Rocks over this course and distance five weeks ago.

The seven-strong field is completed by Pat Chamings Take A Bow, Walter Swinburn’s Pinpoint and Fire And Rain from Emma Lavelle’s stable.