Sprint ace Reverence fit for battle

Eric Alston is not expecting Reverence to lack for fitness when he makes his long-awaited return to the track at Sandown on Saturday.

The dual Group One-winning gelding has not raced since going down by a neck in the Prix de l’Abbaye at Longchamp in October, where he was bidding to add to his wins in the Nunthorpe and Sprint Cup.

His Preston-based handler has earmarked the Laurent-Perrier Champagne Sprint Stakes over the minimum trip as an ideal starting point before he tackles the big sprints to come.

“He worked again on Tuesday – he’s in great order. He’s very fit,” Alston told Racing UK.

“The sharpness might not quite be there first time out over five furlongs, but he’s fit and I expect him to run really well.”