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| Sumita Pawar |
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Bradsell and Highfield Princess are set to face off once again in the prestigious Group One Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes at York next week.
Both horses, trained by Archie Watson and John Quinn respectively, showcased their speed and talent in the King's Stand Stakes at Royal Ascot. It was a thrilling race, with Bradsell ultimately crossing the finish line first, securing a narrow victory of just one length over Highfield Princess in the five-furlong sprint.
This was Bradsell's first attempt at the minimum trip, as the decision was made by the connections to supplement the 3YO colt. With his maiden Group One win under his belt, Watson is confident that Bradsell will have no issues handling the fast five furlongs at York.
He said, “I don’t see a sharper five furlongs being a problem.
“He travels so well that nothing can really take him far enough into his races. Over the quick five furlongs at York he should get a nice tow deep into the race.”
King George Stakes Triumph: Highfield Princess Reigns
Highfield Princess finished third in the six-furlong Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes on the final day of the Royal meeting. She then went on to register an impressive win in the King George Stakes at Goodwood. Meanwhile, Watson has kept Bradsell in reserve for his upcoming race at Knavesmire.
“I would say it’s (his absence) a reflection of the options over five furlongs,” said the trainer.
“He won his Group One at Ascot, so I didn’t feel the need to go to the Group Two at Goodwood, and I wasn’t going to step him back up to six furlongs in between either.
“I have been delighted with him since Ascot. He cantered away in his routine for six weeks and then has been galloping well through August into this race.”
Bradsell made a successful debut on good to soft ground at York last May. Although he has competed on sound surfaces ever since, Watson would not be concerned if the conditions were on the easy side.
He added, “He has obviously got very good form on good and good to firm ground.
“We haven’t deliberately avoided cut in the ground. His maiden win was on good to soft but until we run on proper soft ground we won’t know.
“I never get overly concerned about it until you know that a horse doesn’t handle a certain type of ground. If it rains, it rains.”
In addition to his sprint star, Watson also has Action Point, the winner of the Newbury Listed, in contention for the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Gimcrack Stakes. Furthermore, Ambushed will be participating in the Goffs UK Harry Beeby Premier Yearling Stakes.
Of Action Point, Watson said, “The flat, quick six furlongs at York should suit him well and I’m looking forward to seeing him up in class as he was impressive last time and is a horse we have always thought a lot of.
“Ambushed won his maiden at Newcastle from a horse of Adrian Keatley’s who was subsequently second in the Richmond Stakes (Ballymount Boy).
“He has plenty of ability and I hope he can run a good race, if the draw and pace set-up are kind. You need plenty of luck in the big-field sales races.”