Telescope sets sights on Harwicke again Telescope showed plenty of improvement from his first start of the season when romping away with the Listed Al Rayyan Stakes (registered as the Aston Park) at Newbury. Sir Michael Stoute's five-year-old was a little keen on his seasonal return at Newmarket in the Jockey Club Stakes and was caught on the line, but there was no danger of that scenario happening this time. Ryan Moore stalked the early pace set by Peter Anders before easing ahead as they went to the two-furlong pole, from where Telescope lengthened his stride and sauntered to a six-length success from the game Qatar raider Dubday. The 8-13 favourite is likely to head to Royal Ascot for the Hardwicke Stakes, which he won last year. Stoute said: "He was a bit race-fresh at Newmarket. They kept slowing the pace down and he got keener and keener and just dissipated a little bit too much energy for the final rush up the hill. "He was very smooth and that was very impressive. I think he's a Group One and half (horse) at the moment! I suppose we will go Hardwicke. He's a great traveller and he's got many options. "He's a very honest, consistent horse. He's a big, rangy fella, who has got a little bit stronger again from four to five. He had a greyhoundy look about him even last year, so we hoped we would progress him a little bit, but he doesn't have to do too much more to win a really good pot. "I would have been disappointed had he not beaten that lot today." Long-term, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe could be on the agenda, with William Hill installing Telescope at 16-1 for Europe's middle-distance championship. Moore, on his way to a treble, said: "They've gone very slow for the first seven furlongs and that's not ideal for him. You have to take him back the whole time. He's got such a big, long stride. "It wasn't a very deep race. He's a lot better than them. He's destroyed them and he's a very good horse. Hopefully he'll progress for this. It was a quick turnaround for him. I'd say he'd go to Ascot now with a good chance."
