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| Staff Writer |
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John Gosden is preparing for what he anticipates will be one of the most competitive Royal Ascot meetings in recent memory, with multiple Group One contenders heading to the Berkshire track in peak condition.
The Clarehaven handler, training in partnership with son Thady Gosden, is expecting particularly fierce competition in the opening Queen Anne Stakes, where his Lockinge Stakes winner Lead Artist faces a rematch with the horses he defeated at Newbury.
Lead Artist has been put through his paces on the July Course under new retained rider Colin Keane as connections prepare for the US$937,500 mile contest that opens the Royal meeting.
The Dubawi colt's breakthrough Group One success in the Lockinge Stakes has set up what Gosden believes could be a defining moment in his career, though the trainer is under no illusions about the challenge ahead.
"The idea was to have a go on the course and Colin to get feel the horse so he knows him when he goes to Ascot. It is a lot to suddenly see these horses for the first time and you don't want to see them for the first time in the paddock," Gosden explained.
The Juddmonte-owned 4YO struggled on softer ground at Sandown in his previous start but showed marked improvement on better conditions at Newbury, a performance that has given connections confidence ahead of the Queen Anne.
"We got stuck in the ground at Sandown. It was good to soft there and he doesn't like that. He likes what we are going to get at Ascot, all being well. He likes to bounce off it, but he was in need of the race as well. He came there nicely and literally on that ground he did struggle," Gosden said.
"He did turn it around, but it wasn't a surprise. Did I think he would go and win? Not necessarily, but I thought he would run a huge race which he did. I think he has matured a lot mentally."
The trainer expects both Rosallion and Notable Speech, who finished third and fourth respectively in the Lockinge, to pose significant threats having gained valuable race experience.
"Both Rosallion and Notable Speech are going to come on for it. I think it is as good of a Queen Anne that I have seen in a long time. We said that about the Lockinge, but now they have got a race under their belt it is quite a humdinger to start the meeting with."
Sardinian Warrior will provide additional representation for the Gosden team in the Queen Anne after his encouraging runner-up effort in the Gr.1 Prix d'Ispahan.
"Sardinian Warrior is in good form and he will run in the Queen Anne. He ran a very nice race in France. I think the other horse did out stay him, but Christophe Soumillon nearly took the day, but was beaten by a very good horse."
Irish 2000 Guineas winner Field Of Gold is being prepared for a mouth-watering rematch with Ruling Court in the St James's Palace Stakes, with Gosden believing the draw could prove crucial to his chances of reversing Newmarket form.
The Charlie Appleby-trained Ruling Court denied Field Of Gold at Newmarket but Gosden is confident his charge can exact revenge on more favourable terms.
"There was no need for him to come over here today as he only ran in the Irish 2000 Guineas not that long ago. These horses had all been a month, and one a year, since they last ran, but he is fine and we are pointing him towards the St James's Palace Stakes," Gosden said.
"It is very exciting and that is what Ascot is all about. We will see how the race works out and we have got to take a good look at the draw. That mile there you can sometimes get stuck down on the inside and never see daylight. We will see how the draw goes and take it from there."
Colin Keane, the six-time Irish champion jockey, is building his relationship with the Gosden string as Juddmonte's new retained rider, with Gosden expressing confidence in the partnership's potential.
"He is a very talented jockey and very talented horseman. He is an extremely nice fella and I'm sure it will be fine. The travelling is demanding on a jockey, but I'm sure he will fit in well once he gets to know the horses," Gosden said.
"He will be over riding work and things and he has come in today especially. He is a very classy jockey and you are not six-times champion in Ireland if you're not. The riding over there is tough and no one gives a quarter to anyone. It is an exciting opportunity for him."
Last year's Doncaster Cup hero Sweet William has been working alongside stablemate Trawlerman as both prepare for the Ascot Gold Cup, a race in which Sweet William finished third twelve months ago.
"Sweet William is in great order and he has worked well there. He is a wonderful character, and he does everything in his own time, but I think that work will just sharpen him up how we want him. They are different types of horses. One just bowls along and the other comes with a strong late run. To that extent they suit each other really well as they are both not trying to do the same job," Gosden explained.
"It will still be a smart field without Kyprios and a good race, with Illinois in there."
Ombudsman will represent Godolphin in the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, with Gosden expecting the Night Of Thunder colt to improve significantly from his recent Gr.3 Brigadier Gerard Stakes effort.
"It was a good run in the Brigadier Gerard, but again he got tired on the ground. I think the winner is very smart, and he was obviously getting three pounds from him. He got the run of the race and our lad had to come from off the pace, but Ryan Moore was very pleased with him," Gosden said.
"It is a question whether you go to the Wolferton or the Prince Of Wales's Stakes, but I think the owner would be keen to go to the Prince Of Wales's, so that is what we will do."