Classic Hopes Put to the Test

Double-handed: Abdullah and Cecil

Some of the season’s leading three year olds put their Classic credentials to the test this week, headlined by champion juvenile Frankel’s attempt to make a successful seasonal reappearance in the Greenham Stakes at Newbury on Saturday.

Subject to some sensational gallop reports this winter and an emphatic winner of last season’s Dubai Dewhurst Stakes, Henry Cecil’s charge will be available to back at only very skinny odds with his biggest danger looking likely to be Richard Hannon’s Coventry Stakes victor Strong Suit.

Also among the list of entries for the Group 3 race is Frankel’s stablemate Picture Editor who could also be used as a pacemaker. Teddy Grimthorpe, racing manager to the pair’s owner, Khalid Abdullah, said: “Frankel has a very good cruising pace but you really don’t want a crawl in any trial – the whole idea is to bring him on for a Classic and there wouldn’t be much point in running if it was just a crawl.

“Picture Editor won his maiden at Doncaster nicely and it looked quite a good race at the time. He then bolted up in a three-horse race at Leicester, which was a bit of a non-event, and he worked really well going into the Zetland Stakes but disappointed on the day.

“He has come through the winter quite well and we have quite decent hopes for him. He may well turn up on Saturday in the Greenham Stakes to ensure a good gallop for Frankel.”

Elsewhere, Native Khan has been installed as evens favourite to get back to winning ways in Thursday’s Breeze Up Vendors Craven Stakes at Newmarket.

After winning the Solario Stakes in impressive fashion last summer, Ed Dunlop’s grey colt disappointed behind Casamento in the Racing Post Trophy on ground that was considered too soft.

Dunlop said: ”He’s strengthened nicely and this is a nice starting point. It looks a strong enough race on class rather than numbers. It was a late decision to run here as he’s been working so well and we’re pleasantly surprised that the ground remains fast.”

Also in the six-strong line up is Richard Hannon’s Group 2 winner Libranno.

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