 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
Charlie Johnston's progressive three-year-old Align The Stars is looking to continue his upward trajectory in Friday's Gr.2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York, with connections eyeing a potential St Leger bid.
The son of Sea The Stars has been in scintillating form this season, racking up a hat-trick of handicap victories and finishing no worse than third in six outings. Now stepping up to Group company and tackling two miles for the first time, Johnston is hoping his charge can exploit any chinks in the armour of his more established rivals.
"We're going to have to take on some hardened, older stayers but between trying the trip and being out of form, most of them have some sort of question to answer," Johnston explained. "Certainly no one else is coming into the race on the back of three straight wins and on such an upwards curve and a progressive profile."
The Middleham handler added: "We thought maybe now was the time to try to catch these horses when they are not at their best, but at the same time we obviously have plenty of respect for them – they are rated in the low 110s and we have 10lb to find with them."
Johnston is not shying away from the fact that Align The Stars' performance on the Knavesmire could prove pivotal in determining whether the colt heads to Doncaster for the final Classic of the season.
"We're hopeful that stepping up to two miles could see our horse improve again," he said. "If he can go closer than that he will have bolstered his Leger ambitions significantly, so let's hope he can do so."
In the absence of star stayer Kyprios, Aidan O'Brien relies on Point Lonsdale as the Ballydoyle representative. The four-year-old impressed over 14 furlongs in the Ormonde Stakes on his penultimate start and now tries two miles for the first time.
The Wathnan Racing team look to exploit Kyprios' absence with the John and Thady Gosden-trained Gregory, who has not tasted victory since the Queen's Vase at Royal Ascot in 2023. Third in the Yorkshire Cup earlier in the season, he bounced back from a Gold Cup disappointment to place in the Goodwood Cup last time out.
Richard Brown, Wathnan's European racing adviser, said: "He has run well at York before and I think it is a track he will enjoy – two miles at York is probably spot-on for him. Gregory shouldn't look out of place in this field and I think that long straight – he's a big-striding horse – will play to his advantage."
Willie Mullins sends dual-purpose star Vauban back to the Flat as he continues his path towards the Melbourne Cup. The Cheltenham Festival-winning hurdler was not at his best when only third in the Curragh Cup but returns to two miles now.
"He had a nice run in the Curragh, he'll have to improve, but I'm expecting that," said Mullins. "Hopefully, he'll be good enough to get in the placings there. It's a tough race, a hot race and a first three finish would be a good result."
The field is completed by Andrew Balding's pair Alsakib and Night Sparkle, Hughie Morrison's 2022 Lonsdale Cup winner Quickthorn, Brian Ellison's Tashkhan, and Dubai Gold Cup runner-up Al Nayyir, who makes his first start for new handler Tom Clover.
With a mix of established stayers and improving types, Friday's Lonsdale Cup promises to be a fascinating contest that could have implications for both the St Leger and staying events further down the line.