Gatsby bidding for Newmarket honours Kevin Ryan is relishing the prospect of seeing stable star The Grey Gatsby back on a fast surface in Thursday's Princess of Wales's Arqana Racing Club Stakes at Newmarket. Although winless since landing the 2014 Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown, the four-year-old ran a string of magnificent races in defeat last season, placing in the Prince of Wales's Stakes at Royal Ascot, the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown and the Juddmonte International at York. Having missed several engagements due to unsuitable ground, The Grey Gatsby made his belated comeback in the same Royal Ascot contest last month, but testing terrain was once again against him and he had to make do with an honourable fourth. Ryan said: "He's in great form and has got his ground at last. It's the first time he's had his ground in 12 months - since the Eclipse last year - which is ridiculous really. "He ran great at Ascot, he just can't cope with that soft ground. He has no turn of foot in it. "Going up to a mile and a half won't be a problem and we're looking forward to running him. "We're just taking it one day at a time." The Grey Gatsby faces six rivals in the Group Two contest, with last year's winner Big Orange back to defend his crown. Following success 12 months ago, Michael Bell's stayer went on to win the Goodwood Cup before finishing an excellent fifth in the Melbourne Cup in Australia. The five-year-old has run two creditable races so far in 2016, finishing second in the Dubai Gold Cup and third in the Jockey Club Stakes. Bell said: " Big Orange is a bigger and stronger horse than in 2015 and the recent dry weather means that the ground is finally coming in his favour. "Last year's win was a nice surprise, especially since his owner, Mr Gredley, bred him just three miles away from the July Course. "We are well aware that he is better over further and he is unlikely to get his own way out in front again - last year the rest of the field possibly didn't treat him with respect because he was a 25-1 chance. "He has not run since April simply because of the soft ground. He was being prepared for the Ascot Gold Cup but when it went good to soft I had to pull him out. "He's a very easy horse to train because he is so clean-winded and runs well fresh. He's in very good shape and acts well on the course but The Grey Gatsby is rated 8lb higher than him, albeit he is not proven over a mile and a half." James McDonald rides Big Orange, with regular partner Jamie Spencer opting for The Grey Gatsby. "I would like to have had Jamie riding him again but he's had a difficult decision to make and if The Grey Gatsby stays then he's probably made the right one," the trainer added. "However, James McDonald is a top-class international rider. He came to ride Big Orange out earlier this week and was very happy with him." Godolphin runner Elite Army filled the runner-up spot when favourite for the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at the Royal meeting last month. Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: "He ran well at Royal Ascot. I thought he was going to win, but I think he hit the front too soon. "He is doing really well and I'd like to see him nice and handy in the race. That is the best way for him. "He's a class horse and I think he has a chance to run a big race." Impressive Jockey Club Stakes winner Exosphere bids to bounce back from a dismal showing in the Hardwicke Stakes. Battersea, Second Step and Muntazah complete the field. Battersea is making his first appearance since a winter stint in Dubai. Trainer Roger Varian said on his website: "Battersea has something to find on the figures, but he is in good form at home and quick ground is what he requires. "We feel he has enough speed to return to a mile and a half and I think the course will suit him. "I hope he can be competitive as he has always suggested he can cut it in stakes company."
