But he’s not a horse I’d ever take back – we’ve done that twice and it hasn’t worked. It will just be a case of soft hands for Paul Hanagan and he’ll sit wherever it takes him – whether that be in front or with a lead.
I love this horse. I felt he wasn’t getting the appreciation he deserved. He was 16/1 for this before Haydock and Invincible Army was second favourite which shocked me.
We think he’s top drawer, he works like a Group One horse. He needs to prove that now and go on and do it on the big stage. The beauty with him, like Ribchester, is it doesn’t matter what the ground is, he’ll handle it, and I’m really looking forward to running him.
His improvement from his first run has been incredible and he could improve again – but needs to.
We're going to the Olympics here. I'd have loved to take him to the but he isn't qualified on the sire side. He's a horse we think will stay well.
To be at his very best he’d need the ground to slow down a bit but he loves these big handicaps. If they get some rain he won’t be at the back of the field come the finish.
MR LUPTON: He won well at York last time, it was a very good performance and he goes well there.
I’ve always had the in mind for him and while his penalty will make things more difficult he’s in great order. It’s amazing what winning can do for these sprinters and he’s bouncing at the moment.
I was pleased with his Chester run and he’s arriving there in tip-top shape. You could argue slower ground sees him at his best but I’m quite sweet on him providing it’s not like concrete.
GEORGE BOWEN: He was very impressive at York two starts ago. People ask if I went mad with the jockey but I was just pleased to see him win again.
He had one or two problems but it looks like he’s over them as he backed it up with another solid run at Goodwood. You never know but If he’s in the same form he was at York this might not be beyond him.
CROWNTHORPE: He’s in the same race. He’s had a tough enough year and I think 10 furlongs is going to be his trip moving forward but you need to stay well in the Britannia and slower ground would help him. If it’s fast it would lessen his chance, if it came up soft I wouldn’t be surprised to see him outrun his odds.
NORTHWEST FRONTIER: It’s touch-and-go over whether he’ll get in the , the last two years he wouldn’t from his current mark. He’s progressing and his confidence is high, when horses win it does help. He’ll definitely stay the trip and if he does get in could go well.
I love Sands Of Mali but he’s in a Group One and SABRE is a horse I really like in the Windsor Castle.