Ryan ´Confident´ Ahead Of Group 1 Shot

Kevin Ryan has delivered an upbeat bulletin ahead of Gimcrack hero Amadeus Wolf´s crack at the Shadwell Stud Middle Park Stakes tomorrow.

The Mozart colt powered to glory at York last month when taking the Group 2 by a length-and-a-half from Red Clubs, who reopposes on 5lb better terms at Newmarket.

Ryan´s charge steps up into Group 1 company for the first time for this latest engagement but the Hambleton handler is expecting another top-notch performance.

He said: 'My horse is in great order. He´s had a good preparation, he looks great and has been working really well. So I´m really happy with him. I´m confident he´s going to run a big race.

'We don´t want any more rain - I hope the ground doesn´t go on the soft side.'

Newark-based trainer Eoghan O´Neill is similarly positive about the chances of Always Hopeful.

The son of Mind Games was third in Deauville on his last start in the Group 1 Prix Morny, following up Group 2 joy in the Richmond Stakes at Glorious Goodwood.

O´Neill said: 'He´s been fine since France where he wasn´t in love with the ground. He´s working well and I couldn´t be happier with him.

'It´s a Group 1 and they don´t come easy but we are having a go and are entitled to be there.'

Aidan O´Brien will be double-handed as he bids to land his fourth Middle Park Stakes in six renewals. Minardi and Johannesburg scored for him in 2000 and 2001, while Ad Valorem was on the mark for the Ballydoyle operation 12 months ago.

Tomorrow O´Brien will saddle Art Museum - unbeaten in two starts - and the TNT July Stakes winner Ivan Denisovich.

Prince Of Light is targeting a four-timer after completing his hat-trick at the start of September on the July Course where he won the Group 3 32Red.comSirenia Stakes. The other three runners in the nine-strong field are Guest Connections, Classic Encounter - third in the Norfolk Stakes last time out - and the once-raced maiden Johnny Alpha.