Plenty of options still open for Belardo Roger Varian feels Belardo has "a big day ahead of him" despite an unsatisfactory result at Sandown after he made a successful start to 2016 at Doncaster. The 2014 Dewhurst winner was a never-nearer fourth to Toormore in the bet365 Mile after Varian's decision to run pacemaker Barchan did not work in Belardo's favour. Varian was pleased with the way the four-year-old colt performed under the circumstances and is looking forward to running him in the Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes at Newbury on May 14. "I thought the horse ran a mighty race," the Newmarket trainer said. "We were all disappointed with the result. Perhaps I didn't need to run a pacemaker, but, nevertheless, the race panned out as it did. "He ran a fine race to make up the ground he did. "We've got the Lockinge ahead of us and that will certainly be Plan A. He's better with a bit of cut in the ground, so the weather plays its part, but he's got options going forward. "I thought, although he didn't win at Sandown, he showed his well-being and he showed his ability. I'm sure he'll have a good year. "He's fine after the race and we think he's got a big day ahead of him."
