Adayar primed for Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown

Charlie Appleby expects 2021 Derby winner Adayar to be a big player on his seasonal comeback in the bet365 Gordon Richards Stakes at Sandown Park later this month.

The Godolphin handler will revert the five year old son of Frankel back down the Group Three level in the 10-furlong contest on Friday 28th April following an intended racecourse gallop at Newmarket’s Rowley Mile.

Adayar was restricted to just two starts in 2022 after missing the bulk of the campaign having met with a small setback in the build up to his intended return at the scene of his Classic success in the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs in June.

After making a triumphant return at Doncaster at September in a conditions contest Adayar found only the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Bay Bridge too strong for him on his return to Group One level in the QIPCO Champion Stakes at Ascot the following month.

With his early season campaign going much smoother than 12 months ago Appleby is now looking forward to Adayar, who also claimed Group One glory in the 2021 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot, getting back to the track.

He said: “Adayar is in great form and he has been over to Waterhall (gallop) and done all our preparations pre-season and he has delighted us over there.

“His target is the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot. We go to Sandown with it very much as a trial but I would be disappointed if this horse is not a big player there.

“We are very much on the front foot this season as this time last year unfortunately our dream had gone for the first half of the season which became frustrating watching all those good races go by.

“He showed that he was worth our patience at the back end there winning at Doncaster which was more of an organised gallop before going into Champions Day which again was on ground that we know is not his ideal ground.

“Soft ground isn’t for him and he is a far better horse on a sound surface but he put up a very courageous race there finishing second in the Champion Stakes. We are very much looking forward to Sandown Park next week.”

Although both of Adayar’s top level victories have come over a mile and a half Appleby has admitted that he will be campaigned over shorter for the time being in a bid to help enhance his stallion prospects.

He added: “To start with he will be campaigned over a mile and a quarter because of his stallion CV. In this day and age, they want to see a bit more speed on the page.

“What he achieved in his three year old career winning the Derby and King George was fantastic and everyone was delighted. From a commercial point of view everyone would like to see that mile and a quarter stamped.

“To be honest with you I think it is a trip that is well within his compass. He has always been a very strong traveller in his races.

“Epsom and Ascot were fantastic results for the horse and the team but I’m pretty confident he will be putting a Group One 10 furlong tag around his neck this year.”

Stablemate, and fellow Classic winner, Hurricane Lane, who holds an entry in the Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs in June, limbered up for his return to action with a gallop on the Rowley Mile ahead of racing taking place at Newmarket on Tuesday.

Working over seven furlongs under champion jockey William Buick, the 2021 Irish Derby and St Leger winner drew steadily clear of his gallop companion before crossing the line with more than five lengths in hand.

After a prolific three year old campaign Hurricane Lane suffered odds-on defeats in the Group Two Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot and over in France in the Group One Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud on his two starts last term.

With cut in the ground essential Appleby is leaning towards starting the triple Group One winner off for the year at Newbury on Saturday in the Group Three Dubai Duty Free Finest Surprise Stakes, better known as the John Porter.

Appleby said: “I’m pleased with that. We brought him up here purposely with the ground being good to soft, soft as we know he is a horse that is proven on that surface.

“His three year old career I don’t have to tell anyone about that, but his four year old career ended up being disappointing. He ran a creditable race in the Hardwicke Stakes on ground that was quick. We thought we got away with it to be honest with you.

“We then went to the Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud and the ground wasn’t where we thought it was. It was quick enough that day and he ran a disappointing race.

“We purposely left it there and thought we will give this horse every chance. The one thing I wanted to make sure starting this year was that he was starting on ground with soft in the description. I don’t want any excuses.

“If the horse were not to turn up you would have to accept that the horse did what he did as a three year old at the highest level and that was that.

“But on the evidence of what we have seen at home this year we have been very pleased with him as a physical, and just in his demeanour, and I think he has shown you guys out there this morning he has let himself down there.

“Going forward the plan is to take a look at Newbury on Saturday with the ground being there to suit him.”

While Hurricane Lane holds a number of Group One entries to his name Appleby confirmed that his major target this year would be the Qatar Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe-a race in which he finished third in 2021.

He added: “The only reason this horse has stayed in training is to work back from an Arc. I want to make sure we tick all the right boxes and give him the best opportunity to get there.

“I don’t want to be there mid-season running on ground he doesn’t want and then telling myself I’ve made a mistake.

“The Arc is our long term plan and he will be campaigned accordingly around that.”