Wise Approach in pole position to take unexpected Middle Park chance The Tattersalls Middle Park Stakes at Newmarket on Saturday promises a fascinating clash of rising stars, with several trainers confident in their contenders. Wise Approach leads Appleby’s Middle Park bid The son of Mehmas has gone close in both the Norfolk Stakes and his first try in Group One company in the Prix Morny, but in between those fine efforts in defeat was an impressive victory in Newbury’s Rose Bowl Stakes. And with the ground on the Rowley Mile drier than anticipated at this stage of the season, it is only the colt’s susceptibility to the undulating nature of the track that is giving the Moulton Paddocks handler cause for concern. Appleby said: “He’s in great nick. I didn’t really think we’d be participating on Saturday because I thought ground conditions would go against him and he is a horse that I feel wants quick ground.” He added: “The only negative I can give is the track. I do feel he’s a very slick horse and that was why I was keen for him to take his chance in the Prix Morny, I felt conditions there would suit him and the track would suit him. “We’ll always use the dip here as an excuse and I did think about bringing him up here and giving him a gallop, but I just felt we might treat him with the element of surprise on Saturday. “He’s in great order, the ground is tightening up and I think if he produces anything like he did in the Prix Morny he’s going to be hard to beat.” Rivals line up with strong claims Aidan O’Brien saddles Flying Childers second Kansas, Brussels and First Approach, but it is his son Joseph O’Brien who looks to have the stronger claims with once-raced The Publican’s Son, who is chanced at the top table after a pleasing debut in Group Three company at the Curragh. O’Brien said: “He’s had a good preparation and obviously it’s a huge jump up on just his second start, but we’re looking forward to seeing how he competes at this level.” Also stepping up is George Boughey’s Hilitany, unbeaten in maiden and novice company. Chris Wall, racing manager for owners Victorious Forever, explained: “He won both his maiden and novice by a wide margin, so he’s obviously a talented colt and we just want to roll the dice and see where we stand with him. “He deserves his chance, it’s open at that level and distance, so we may as well give it a go. George has him in good form, he did a nice piece of work on the racecourse last Saturday which gave him some handy experience of the track which he handled well and everyone came away happy. So we’re hoping for a good performance at the weekend.” Clive Cox’s Coppull, proven in Group company with a Richmond Stakes win at Goodwood, also returns after a luckless run in the Prix Morny. Cox said: “I was very pleased with his win in the Richmond and then he was drawn on the wing when he went to France for the Morny, but I would be hopeful we’ve got more of a positive position here. “He’s got a nice middle draw in five and I would hope he would have a competitive chance. It was very fast in France and we were stuck on a wing and it just didn’t work out at all. But I think travelling in extreme heat on that occasion didn’t help also. “He’s pleased me in the last couple of weeks which has given me confidence and hopefully the ground will be nice for him as well.” Eve Johnson Houghton’s Royal Ascot winner Havana Hurricane and Andrew Balding’s Sirenia Stakes scorer Five Ways complete a field of nine.
