Torcedor© Photo Healy Racing
Jessica Harrington reports Torcedor to be showing all his old verve ahead of Wednesday’s Longines Sagaro Stakes at Ascot.
The six-year-old disappointed on his return to action at Meydan back in March, trailing home last in the Dubai Gold Cup.
However, Harrington believes her charge is back on form now and is more inclined to judge him on his fifth place in last year’s Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and his excellent effort back at the track when second to Order Of St George on Champions Day.
“He seems to be in great form, I’m happy with him and he won’t mind the ground having a bit of an ease in it,” she said.
“We’ve put a line through Dubai. I’d say it was the travelling, it might have been a bridge too far.
“He likes the track at Ascot, he was fifth in the Gold Cup and ran well on Champions Day so we’re hoping for a big run.”
Brian Meehan’s Raheen House ended his Classic campaign in good form and would not have to improve too much to be a major player in the Cup races this season.
“He had a very good campaign last year winning both the Bahrain Trophy and the Noel Murless Stakes,” Meehan told his website.
“He has wintered very well at home and will benefit from the step up in trip this year. I am confident of a good performance and he should be in with a great chance.”
Doncaster Cup winner Desert Skyline, Chester and Lonsdale Cup hero Montaly, Mark Johnston’s improving Time To Study and the Peter Niven-trained Clever Cookie complete the field.
Aidan O’Brien sends one runner to the Berkshire track with recent Dundalk third The Irish Rover tackling the Sodexo Conditions Stakes.
