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Well, it's upon us again, the best Group 3 of the year and a stellar line up we have again. Surely the Pattern commitee have to look into putting it up to a Group 2 (and maybe downgrading the Tattersalls Gold Cup whilst they're at it! 
). Nearly all of these will be contesting Group 1s later in the season but who's prepping and who's here to win?
Let us see who is taking part:
Workforce:
Little needs to be said about the Derby/Arc winner apart from the fact that he's top class, probably better over 12f and has to give 7lb away all round. Avoiding So You Think seems like a case of out of the frying pan into the fire in this case as this looks a hot race.
Class could get him through and trainer always sends a good one here but Stoute has had Conduit, Papal Bull, North Light and Glass Harmonium beaten seemingly prepping in this recently, albeit not by far in some cases, and the price is miserable.
Jan Vermeer:
Is he here for a look at the one older horse standing in the way of the O'Brien camp and their wealth of middle-distance talent this year? Probably. Will he improve for a run? Definitely. Is this his trip? Maybe.
His form is solid, he's a Group 1 horse but he's probably prepping and he's been off a long time.
Afsare:
Long held in high esteem by connections and fully expected t have improved for his one run this year. Holds good entries later in the year for his trainer who certainly knows the worth of a horse. This race could well be the acid test for him but he's likely primed and should move up the ranks this season. Trainer won race with Cima De Triomphe back in 2009, so has form in targeting race.
Cavalryman:
Looked top class at 3 then seemingly suffered after joining Godolphin but has run in top races ever since (7 G1s in a row) without seemingly retaining the class to win. Coming back here, maybe prepping for later and probably better over 12f but not discounted entirely as down in class for first time in ages and trainer has good record with horses first time out.
Sri Putra:
Knocked on the door last summer after comeback win and Eclipse 2nd puts him right in the mix here. Form tailed off last year in good races but had a prep for this and should be seen to good effect over a course he likes. Possibly improve for another winter and unlike some of the others, this is his trip.
Elusive Pimpernel:
Big reputation at 2 and decent high level form in truncated 3yo career. Off for along time before perfectly respectable reappearance and long been considered worth a try at this longer trip. Could prove top class eventually and respected
Poet:
Tough, good standard Group 3 animal. Prefers softer ground and a likely benchmark for the race. Shouldn't be good enough.
Black Spirit:
Slightly underrated colt capable of decent form and clearly well regarded by trainer. Likes Sandown a lot and creatively placed this last year, for all that he's found winning hard to come by.
Distant Memories:
Ultra-consistent game sort that has risen through the ranks. Always runs a sound race and whilst would require a career best his rating puts him bang there for the places.
This is a great race and my biased fan head is liking the look of double figure prices on AFSARE. Literally any of these horses could run big races though and there is no true rag in there.
A race to savour and fascinating to see Workforce, Jan Vermeer and to a lesser extent Cavalryman back on the track with a view to the future.
Enjoy!
). Nearly all of these will be contesting Group 1s later in the season but who's prepping and who's here to win?Let us see who is taking part:
Workforce:
Little needs to be said about the Derby/Arc winner apart from the fact that he's top class, probably better over 12f and has to give 7lb away all round. Avoiding So You Think seems like a case of out of the frying pan into the fire in this case as this looks a hot race.
Class could get him through and trainer always sends a good one here but Stoute has had Conduit, Papal Bull, North Light and Glass Harmonium beaten seemingly prepping in this recently, albeit not by far in some cases, and the price is miserable.
Jan Vermeer:
Is he here for a look at the one older horse standing in the way of the O'Brien camp and their wealth of middle-distance talent this year? Probably. Will he improve for a run? Definitely. Is this his trip? Maybe.
His form is solid, he's a Group 1 horse but he's probably prepping and he's been off a long time.
Afsare:
Long held in high esteem by connections and fully expected t have improved for his one run this year. Holds good entries later in the year for his trainer who certainly knows the worth of a horse. This race could well be the acid test for him but he's likely primed and should move up the ranks this season. Trainer won race with Cima De Triomphe back in 2009, so has form in targeting race.
Cavalryman:
Looked top class at 3 then seemingly suffered after joining Godolphin but has run in top races ever since (7 G1s in a row) without seemingly retaining the class to win. Coming back here, maybe prepping for later and probably better over 12f but not discounted entirely as down in class for first time in ages and trainer has good record with horses first time out.
Sri Putra:
Knocked on the door last summer after comeback win and Eclipse 2nd puts him right in the mix here. Form tailed off last year in good races but had a prep for this and should be seen to good effect over a course he likes. Possibly improve for another winter and unlike some of the others, this is his trip.
Elusive Pimpernel:
Big reputation at 2 and decent high level form in truncated 3yo career. Off for along time before perfectly respectable reappearance and long been considered worth a try at this longer trip. Could prove top class eventually and respected
Poet:
Tough, good standard Group 3 animal. Prefers softer ground and a likely benchmark for the race. Shouldn't be good enough.
Black Spirit:
Slightly underrated colt capable of decent form and clearly well regarded by trainer. Likes Sandown a lot and creatively placed this last year, for all that he's found winning hard to come by.
Distant Memories:
Ultra-consistent game sort that has risen through the ranks. Always runs a sound race and whilst would require a career best his rating puts him bang there for the places.
This is a great race and my biased fan head is liking the look of double figure prices on AFSARE. Literally any of these horses could run big races though and there is no true rag in there.
A race to savour and fascinating to see Workforce, Jan Vermeer and to a lesser extent Cavalryman back on the track with a view to the future.
Enjoy!
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Hopefully all 8 will run, would be nice for the ew terms
Although he is the best horse in the race for me the combination of trip (Poss but not necessarily short of his best), first time out and group 1 penalty make Workforce vulnerable here. Hard to say who will step up with several possibles. Jan Vermeer won fto over 10f around this time last year before credible efforts over 12f and with the stable in such good form should be thereabouts. Also suspect we have yet to see the best of Elusive Pimpernel, who looked most progressive until his Guineas defeat, so hopefully there will be more to come from him. A small sporting wager on both at approx 6/1 each seems fair in the hope that they can find any chinks in their top class rival.
I wouldn't be totally sure Jan Vermeer is having a prep. As mentioned he won first time up last season and although the trainer has had a lot of horses improve from one run to the next, it is worth pointing out some of those started in Grade 1's, ROC and Misty, so if you not match fit in group 1 company you will get thrashed. A'OB also had two seasonal debutant winners at Chester May meeting, Treasure Beach & Await The Dawn.
Elusive Pimpernel has always,imo, looked in need of an extra furlong or two, and they did intend on sending him to the French Derby after the Guineas last year. John Dunlop has also had several horses this season win on their second start, so he could be the each way play here.
What about the ground for Workforce ?? rattling quick would be a worry but he must be reasonably fit if he were to contest the Tattersals GC at one stage ..
Elusive Pimpernel has always,imo, looked in need of an extra furlong or two, and they did intend on sending him to the French Derby after the Guineas last year. John Dunlop has also had several horses this season win on their second start, so he could be the each way play here.
What about the ground for Workforce ?? rattling quick would be a worry but he must be reasonably fit if he were to contest the Tattersals GC at one stage ..
Assuming that Aidan had Jan Vermeer ready a few weeks ago to run on Kentucky Derby day, I don't know why he was withdrawn, but he'd have a pretty good chance here and 6/1 each way is a decent price.
What a horrible betting race....we don't know anything about how the top 3 have done over the Winter. I couldn't have a bet in this race with some one elses money. I let Jan Vermeer win @ 6/1. Most suprising thing is William Buick gets a ride for Coolmore. He certainly is not a Coolmore class rider.
I think Workforce will win despite the penalty. It's not really a math problem this race. He's by far the best horse. To fill the places, or e/w value, i'd probably look at Afsare 11/1 and Sri Puta 16/1. Workforce is 11/4 with one firm for the King George. I'd have taken that if all my eggs weren't in another basket.
WORKFORCE will "really need" his comeback run at Sandown on Thursday night, trainer Sir Michael Stoute has warned.
RELATED LINKS
* Sandown card
* Sandown betting
* Free bets
Stoute admitted to concerns over last year's Derby and Arc winner, who will be having his first run since October and his first over 1m2f in more than a year when he lines up in the Group 3 Piper Heidsieck Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
"I think he’s going to really need this race," he told At The Races. "Although he didn’t run in the Breeders’ Cup he did travel to Kentucky and we prepared him for the race, and then there was the journey back, so we decided we wouldn’t be in a rush with him this year.
"We’re pulling him back 2f as well.The main thing is to get his season started. He has worked pleasingly but with a big horse like this it’s hard to get him really tuned up first time. I’ll just be glad to get him back on a racecourse and it will be interesting to see how he performs."
Stoute said the conditions of the Brigadier Gerard were not ideal. "It’s a race I don’t particularly like because the Group 1 winners get a 7lb penalty, which is very tough."
But Stoute said he was pleased with Workforce's development over the winter. "He has done very well physically, as one would expect because he was a big, scopey horse last year who needed to fill out in certain areas."
Although he pointed to the drop back in trip, Stoute believes 1m2f is a possibility for Workforce in Group 1 races this year. "We’ve got him in the Eclipseand the Prince of Wales’s, but let’s see what happens at Sandown and then we’ll have to review it."
RELATED LINKS
* Sandown card
* Sandown betting
* Free bets
Stoute admitted to concerns over last year's Derby and Arc winner, who will be having his first run since October and his first over 1m2f in more than a year when he lines up in the Group 3 Piper Heidsieck Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
"I think he’s going to really need this race," he told At The Races. "Although he didn’t run in the Breeders’ Cup he did travel to Kentucky and we prepared him for the race, and then there was the journey back, so we decided we wouldn’t be in a rush with him this year.
"We’re pulling him back 2f as well.The main thing is to get his season started. He has worked pleasingly but with a big horse like this it’s hard to get him really tuned up first time. I’ll just be glad to get him back on a racecourse and it will be interesting to see how he performs."
Stoute said the conditions of the Brigadier Gerard were not ideal. "It’s a race I don’t particularly like because the Group 1 winners get a 7lb penalty, which is very tough."
But Stoute said he was pleased with Workforce's development over the winter. "He has done very well physically, as one would expect because he was a big, scopey horse last year who needed to fill out in certain areas."
Although he pointed to the drop back in trip, Stoute believes 1m2f is a possibility for Workforce in Group 1 races this year. "We’ve got him in the Eclipseand the Prince of Wales’s, but let’s see what happens at Sandown and then we’ll have to review it."
Anyone near Sandown.
I just outside North London and it's been hammering rain since midday.
I just outside North London and it's been hammering rain since midday.
latest update from turftrax says 2mm of rain at the course this afternoon at 16.00hrs.
The going map shows the round course is pretty much good the whole way around
The going map shows the round course is pretty much good the whole way around
Yep was going to mention the rain.
now officially good to soft but it'll be that dead just slightly holding stuff. because of the sun that's been out since.
now officially good to soft but it'll be that dead just slightly holding stuff. because of the sun that's been out since.
I'm taking a shot at Distant Memories.
Battled though some tough handicaps, nice reward when winning the Winter Hill, turned around the Rose of Lancaster form with Poet in the Prix Dollar, 3rd to Cirrus Des Aigles that day and that one looks a different animal this season...3rd to Planteur in the Ganay, 2nd to Goldikova in the D'Isphanan...he's a group1 in him somewhere. Nice reappearence run vs Await the Dawn in the Huxley...I like the fact ATD took total control of the race in the home straight beacuse that meant Spencer could take a little look behind and take it easy on DM rather than try and slug it out and cause the horse to bounce next time out. Race wouldve blown the cobwebs. Easier ground will help him today....if he can build a lead he could be hard to peg back in the closing stages up that hill.
I'll stick a couple of squid on him eachway.
Battled though some tough handicaps, nice reward when winning the Winter Hill, turned around the Rose of Lancaster form with Poet in the Prix Dollar, 3rd to Cirrus Des Aigles that day and that one looks a different animal this season...3rd to Planteur in the Ganay, 2nd to Goldikova in the D'Isphanan...he's a group1 in him somewhere. Nice reappearence run vs Await the Dawn in the Huxley...I like the fact ATD took total control of the race in the home straight beacuse that meant Spencer could take a little look behind and take it easy on DM rather than try and slug it out and cause the horse to bounce next time out. Race wouldve blown the cobwebs. Easier ground will help him today....if he can build a lead he could be hard to peg back in the closing stages up that hill.
I'll stick a couple of squid on him eachway.
Muh...soft ground 
He's done it well there and i'm sure that Stoute is surprised at how well he's run!
He's done it well there and i'm sure that Stoute is surprised at how well he's run!
superb performance
Poet really does love give in the ground and is a very useful,performer in those conditions. A comfortable win with the weight concession and the "badly needed" run was a superb effort.
Workforce is back and will be a threat to Await The Dawn when they meet.
Poet really does love give in the ground and is a very useful,performer in those conditions. A comfortable win with the weight concession and the "badly needed" run was a superb effort.
Workforce is back and will be a threat to Await The Dawn when they meet.
Why did they not run Workforce in the Cornation Cup next week ?
Seems odd to take in a lower level race.
Seems odd to take in a lower level race.
maybe he just needed a race to get him right for the big battles to come.
The coronation cup may take a bit of winning too with Midday and Irish plodder in opposition.
The coronation cup may take a bit of winning too with Midday and Irish plodder in opposition.
Wanted to ease him back gently...it's a long season. Stoute is one of the masters with the older horses.
tinkler:
imagine the eclipse is high on the target/agenda so giving him a run on the track b4 hand
imagine the eclipse is high on the target/agenda so giving him a run on the track b4 hand
Yep, looking to boost his value by proving him adept at Group 1 level over 10 furlongs as well as 12 furlongs.
LOL jair...desperate effort from me.
He kept berating me after about Classic form and laughing about my attempt to get a Derby winner beaten by an ordinary group horse [;)]
I was happy for him. he got 6/4 in the morning.
Lord. Think he was still fuming about Hughes busting his placepot on Magic City. After that race he just said - Richard Hughes is a cu**.
looooooooooool
He kept berating me after about Classic form and laughing about my attempt to get a Derby winner beaten by an ordinary group horse [;)]
I was happy for him. he got 6/4 in the morning.
Lord. Think he was still fuming about Hughes busting his placepot on Magic City. After that race he just said - Richard Hughes is a cu**.
looooooooooool
Think the rain was a big help to Workforce and still think he'll struggle against the top 10f horses in the POW / Eclipse etc if it's proper good/good to firm. Still the one to beat in the Arc though
.
Hard to know what to make of Jan Vemeers runs - surely being beaten 10L by Poet isn't his true running
. Elusive Pimpernel on the other hand is clearly not the horse he was (or at least threatened to be).
.Hard to know what to make of Jan Vemeers runs - surely being beaten 10L by Poet isn't his true running
. Elusive Pimpernel on the other hand is clearly not the horse he was (or at least threatened to be).
cryoftruth
Workforce is back and will be a threat to Await The Dawn when they meet.
Not letting you get away with that! Tongue firmly in cheek I suspect. Either that or your telescope is the wrong way round if you think that a Derby/Arc winner is a threat to a G3 winner
Workforce is back and will be a threat to Await The Dawn when they meet.
Not letting you get away with that! Tongue firmly in cheek I suspect. Either that or your telescope is the wrong way round if you think that a Derby/Arc winner is a threat to a G3 winner
Was impressed. He was the only horse able to claw back the horse who was given a soft lead, Poet, and did so giving him 7lb and fitness.
He clearly needs further than 10f imo and I agree with Uncle that he may struggle over this trip on Good to Firm in Group 1 company. I wouldn't rule out them taking in the Harwicker because he definitley needs further than 10f if the going is GF.
He clearly needs further than 10f imo and I agree with Uncle that he may struggle over this trip on Good to Firm in Group 1 company. I wouldn't rule out them taking in the Harwicker because he definitley needs further than 10f if the going is GF.
To my eye he had grown and strengthend a great deal compared to the last time I saw him, at Ascot. One word of caution. He hits the ground hard, and I believe he is best with cut. It was fast that day at Ascot.
Sandown
Await The Dawn has improved, though, he's actually group 1 standard already, imo. It remains to be seen if Workforce has improved, or even if he can maintain his best form as a 4yo.
Await The Dawn has improved, though, he's actually group 1 standard already, imo. It remains to be seen if Workforce has improved, or even if he can maintain his best form as a 4yo.
If Await the dawn beats Workforce, then i will, ah **** it just forget all that. It ain't gonnae happen.
If they were to meet next time I would be lumping on ATD, for the times they are a changin' 
There will be a cue longer than a Bob Dylan concert waiting to lay you.
Figgis
The point is that a Champion doesn't threaten; he is threatened by an aspiring champion - and one who has just a G3 to his name has still got a lot of aspiring to do
The point is that a Champion doesn't threaten; he is threatened by an aspiring champion - and one who has just a G3 to his name has still got a lot of aspiring to do
sandown
okay a bit of a p1ss take admitted.
However many a true word....
okay a bit of a p1ss take admitted.
However many a true word....
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