Zenith to Lord it at Sandown

Lord Zenith is set to reappear in the Blue Square SP Guarantee Heron Stakes at Sandown on May 27 following his respectable effort in the 2000 Guineas.

Trainer Andrew Balding was pleased with the colt’s run in being beaten 10 and a half lengths when 12th to Makfi at Newmarket.

He is keen to get Lord Zenith back on the winning path, even though his task at Sandown will be made harder as he has to carry a 5lb penalty for a Listed success at Lingfield in April.

“He ran well but it wasn’t a race that suited him. They didn’t go much of an early gallop,” said Balding.

“He’ll probably run in the Heron Stakes next. He’s got to carry a 5lb penalty, but it’s tough to find races for him, so that’s where he’ll go.”

Balding has ruled out the Investec Derby for Chink Of Light after he occupied third spot behind Ted Spread in the Chester Vase.

Instead, the Dr Fong colt is set to step up to two miles for the Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot

“I think we’re going to wait for the Queen’s Vase. If we couldn’t get within four lengths of Ted Spread, we shouldn’t turn up at Epsom. He’s got a lot better chance than us,” he added.

Balding reports Dream Eater on course to return to action in the John O’Gaunt Stakes at Haydock later this month.

“He’s in great form. He’s in the Queen Anne and that’s very much a possibility if he shaped up well at Haydock,” said the Kingsclere trainer.