Wigmore Hall primed for Stateside tilt

Wigmore Hall is reported to have taken his transatlantic journey in his stride ahead of his bid for Grade One glory in tomorrow's Secretariat Stakes.

The three-year-old ran out a narrow winner of the valuable John Smith’s Cup at York on his penultimate start and followed up with victory in a hot conditions race at Newmarket.

His trainer Michael Bell admits he will have to improve again at Arlington Park this weekend but feels his gelding deserves his place in the field.

“He’s out in America and seems to have settled in well,” said Bell.

“He’s exercised on the track the last couple of days and it’s green for go.

“It looks a step up for him but nobody really knows how good those American turf horses are.

“Wigmore Hall’s John Smith’s Cup form keeps getting franked and he trounced Chabal at Newmarket last time, so he warrants his place in a race of this quality.”