Reverence nears comeback

Reverence is on course for an imminent return to action as connections gear him towards Sandown’s Laurent-Perrier Champagne Sprint early next month.

Eric Alston’s speedster enjoyed a stellar campaign in 2006, when he won four races including the Temple Stakes, Nunthorpe Stakes and Betfred Sprint Cup.

Those races are again on the agenda but the six-year-old is likely to flex his muscles beforehand in the upcoming Group Three dash.

Alston said: “We’ll look at the Nunthorpe with him again but in the meantime there is a race at Sandown on the seventh of July (Champagne Sprint).

“He’s fine at the moment and he could run there as long as the ground is OK for him.”

Alston elected not to prepare his stable star for a crack at Royal Ascot’s prestigious sprints, since the ground at the five-day Berkshire fixture does not usually ride with the ease Reverence prefers.

After watching Soldier’s Tale win Saturday’s Golden Jubilee Stakes on rain-softened ground, however, he admits to being a little annoyed but knows there are still plenty of top-notch races for the taking.

“It was a bit frustrating but then again we had planned on not going there so it’s just the way it goes,” he said.

“My horse is very well and I’m looking forward to getting him back on track and all being well, he’ll go to Sandown.”