Stellar performance expected at Epsom Connections of Stellar Sunrise are keeping their fingers crossed the rain stays away from Epsom as they look to land a long-range plot in the Listed Cygames Surrey Stakes. Owners Royal Ascot Racing Club have decided to target the Derby Festival over the Royal meeting with the Andrew Balding-trained improver after a promising start to his three-year-old season. But they will be keeping a close eye on the weather forecast for Oaks day with only a downpour able to dampen confidence in his chance. “This was always the plan as we thought the seven furlongs at Epsom would really suit him as he’s a really tough horse, loves to get out there near the front and is a hard horse to pass,” said racing manager to the owners, Harry Herbert. “It would be lovely for the owners to have a runner at the Royal meeting but we just felt this race suited him so well. “The ground is the only concern with him though. It was very bad in the Horris Hill last October when he ran (fifth) and he didn’t act on it all. Otherwise I don’t think there would be too many question marks to put by his name.” Stellar Sunrise could still go to Ascot depending on the outcome of Plan A and Highclere Thoroughbred Racing’s Awaken could join him if she regains her mojo after a “disaster” of a seasonal reappearance in the Nell Gwyn. It does not take much digging to find impressive nuggets in the George Boughey-trained filly’s back catalogue given she split Venetian Sun and Breeders’ Cup winner Balantina in the Albany Stakes last June. And Herbert warned punters not to dismiss her claims lightly. “It was an absolute disaster in the Nell Gwyn when she was set alight by another horse coming behind her on the way to the start and ran very free. But that is not her,” he said. “She has exploded physically from two to three – she looks fantastic and much stronger this year. She wears a hood here and the plan is to run the race the right way round this time.” Earlier on the Oaks card Alpe d’Huez aims to hit the heights for trainer Archie Watson and another syndicate in Middleham Park Racing in the Oddschecker British EBF Woodcote Stakes. A ready winner of a modest contest on the all-weather at Lingfield on debut, the Kodi Bear colt is nonetheless expected to improve for the experience. “He had been showing a good level of ability. He’s a well-balanced horse which he demonstrated with a thoroughly professional performance at Lingfield,” said Middleham Park representative Tom Palin. “As a result we are going to Epsom hopeful that he can handle the idiosyncrasies of the track. He’s got a good head on him so I don’t think the prelims will be an issue either. “We’ll use this as a bit of a sighter to the Windsor Castle at Royal Ascot. That’s where we always envisaged going with him, debut, Woodcote, then on to Ascot.” Eve Johnson-Houghton has a fine record in the race in recent seasons with Bobsleigh winning in 2023, Tonager third in 2024 and Havana Hurricane second last year before going one better in the Windsor Castle. Ardad Steve, a promising fourth on debut at Yarmouth after traffic problems, will not follow that route given he does not qualify for the Ascot race but the trainer is expecting a bold show in an event she loves. “He was a little unlucky on debut but it taught him a lot and he has come on an absolute ton for it since,” said Johnson-Houghton. “The Woodcote is a race I really like because it teaches them so much about balance and it is a race that can set up he rest of your season. “He won’t be going to Ascot but Friday will tell us where we go from here.”
