Ghostwriter is in “excellent form” ahead of taking his place amongst a high-class cast of eight for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes at Leopardstown on Saturday.
Aidan O’Brien is responsible for half the field in a race he has won five years on the bounce, with his two most recent winners, Auguste Rodin and Luxembourg, joined by Irish Derby hero Los Angeles and outsider Hans Anderson, who is anticipated to take up his usual pacemaking duties.
However, there is also a strong British challenge this year, fronted by William Haggas’ Economics, who confirmed the promise of his impressive Dante victory in Deauville’s Prix Guillaume d’Ornano.
Economics is one of three British contenders for the Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes (Mike Egerton/PA)
Joining Economics on the journey across the Irish Sea is Clive Cox’s admirably consistent Ghostwriter, who finished fourth in both the 2000 Guineas and Prix du Jockey Club before claiming minor honours behind City Of Troy in the Eclipse and Juddmonte International Stakes.
O’Brien’s all-conquering son of Justify misses this assignment as he tunes-up for Breeders’ Cup action later in the autumn and although there is still a formidable Ballydoyle contingent for Ghostwriter to face, his handler is happy with his contender heading into the feature event.
“Ghostwriter is on his way over to Ireland as we speak and I’m really pleased with him,” said Cox.
Clive Cox will saddle Ghostwriter in Ireland on Saturday (John Walton/PA)
“He’s in excellent form and has come back really happily from York, where he ran a blinder. Hopefully conditions remain on the good side in Leopardstown.
“Better ground will play to his strengths and that is why we are very much looking forward to be heading over.”
Karl Burke’s Royal Rhyme completes the trio of British raiders, while Japan’s Shin Emperor has made the journey from the Far East to take part in this Group One event, with Yoshito Yahagi’s colt set for an anticipated tilt at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe next month.
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The Royal Bahrain Irish Champion Stakes is “under consideration” for Ghostwriter, as connections consider all options following his excellent effort behind City Of Troy in the Juddmonte International Stakes at York.
Clive Cox’s son of Invincible Spirit is yet to add to his success as a juvenile this term, but has not let his connections down in four high-class performances in the best of company.
After brave efforts on unsuitably soft ground in both the French Derby and when third to City Of Troy in the Coral Eclipse, he got the chance to rematch Aidan O’Brien’s superstar son of Justify on a preferred quicker surface on the Knavesmire.
Ghostwriter (left) has faced off against City Of Troy on three occasions this term (Steven Paston for the Jockey Club/PA)
Although unable to turn the tables, he ran with real credit to finish on the podium in a race that smashed Sea The Stars’ 10-furlong course record.
Owned by Jeff Smith, the Ghostwriter team are still to completely pin their colours to a particular mast preferring to take stock and consider all options.
However, it appears he will remain at 10 furlongs for his next start, meaning a trip to Leopardstown during the Irish Champions Festival will come into the equation and, although an all-star cast is probable in Dublin, Breeders’ Cup-bound City Of Troy is unlikely to be involved.
Clive Cox was delighted with the performance of Ghostwriter at York (John Walton/PA)
“We were very pleased with the performance and it was nice to see him have the chance to run on his preferred ground,” said Cox.
“It was an amazing race and I was very pleased with his performance. He’s run a super race and I think he confirmed 10 furlongs is his trip at the moment.
“I’m pleased with the way he has come out of the race and we will give him another week to see where we are and speak with Jeff and plan our way forwards from here according on ground really.
“He’s in the Irish Champion Stakes and that is a race under consideration and we just have to see how he is in the time being, along with the weather.”
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Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter is gearing up to take to the Knavesmire in the Juddmonte International at York.
The Invincible Spirit colt was unbeaten at two and followed up on that promise when fourth in the 2000 Guineas on his first start as a three-year-old.
Fourth also in the Prix du Jockey Club, France’s answer to the Derby, the bay then took his chance in the Coral-Eclipse and ran a fine race to finish third behind City Of Troy when beaten two lengths.
Al Riffa was the other horse ahead of him, a subsequent German Group One winner, and Ghostwriter will be tested again at the same level when he lines up for the Juddmonte International next week.
“I think we were close enough last time that it keeps us hopeful that we can run a similar sort of contest,” said Cox.
Ghostwriter winning the Royal Lodge last year (Tim Goode/PA)
“The rain that fell the night before at Sandown would’ve taken a little bit of impact from our performance, so I hope that we can look forward to coming up to York on some nice ground.
“He’s a horse that we’ve been pleased with his progress. Unbeaten at two and so far this year he has run with huge credit.
“Stepping up to a mile and a quarter, he ran very well in the Eclipse against City Of Troy and also Al Riffa, who franked the form yesterday with his Group One success in Germany.
“We bring a good level of form and we’re very much hoping the ground remains drier rather than wetter from his point of view. I’m happy he’s had a good timeframe from his last run to here and he continues to please me with his development, progress and work at home.
“He’s in really good order – I’m very happy. We know him really well now and he’s the sort of horse that we have a great routine at home with. Hopefully, that will see him come up to York in good form.”
Kerdos after winning the Temple Stakes (Nigel French/PA)
Cox may also be represented in the Coolmore Wootton Bassett Nunthorpe Stakes on the Friday of the meeting, as Kerdos could line up in the five-furlong Group One.
The horse was fifth behind Big Evs in the King George Qatar Stakes, beaten two lengths, when last seen but will conversely need cut in the ground if he is to take his chance in the Nunthorpe.
Cox said: “He’s a sprinter that’s building in strength and confidence as we go forward. After winning the Temple earlier in the year, I’m absolutely certain he’s going to continue that winning trail before too long.
“He ran really well at Goodwood, especially as he shouldered a Group Two penalty. We were very pleased with that performance. He’s come out of the race in very good order.
“The ground was quick enough for him at Goodwood and we are not a definite runner yet (at York). We will be watching the forecast. Hopefully we’re getting drier ground for Ghostwriter – we would appreciate any rain for Kerdos.”
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Clive Cox’s Ghostwriter is pencilled in for the Juddmonte International after pleasing with a third-placed effort in the Eclipse on Saturday.
The Invincible Spirit colt was unbeaten as a juvenile in a season that culminated in Group Two success in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket.
He began his three-year-old campaign in the 2000 Guineas at the same track, where he ran with credit to finish fourth before heading to Chantilly for the Prix du Jockey Club.
There he was fourth again on heavy ground, proving his stamina and lining up a bid for the Eclipse at Sandown last weekend.
Derby hero City Of Troy was the headline act in Esher as the 1-4 favourite, with Ghostwriter a 12-1 shot under Richard Kingscote in a field of six.
Ghostwriter (second left) coming home in the Coral-Eclipse (Zac Goodwin/PA)
City Of Troy came out on top with a workmanlike victory, but he was pressed by both the runner-up, Joseph O’Brien’s Al Riffa, and Ghostwriter, who was beaten two lengths in third.
Cox was heartened by the run and is now looking towards the Juddmonte at York, where he hopes the horse will encounter some quicker ground after Sandown came up soft.
“We were thrilled, for one moment at the furlong pole we thought he was going to go and get it,” the trainer said.
“He ran a super race and it was very pleasing, bearing in mind that we all feel he’ll be better still on better ground.
“In spite of that it was a really honest and solid performance and it confirms our belief that he’s a horse for this level.
“I’m really pleased that he’s come out of the race well, he’s back home safe and sound, he’s very pleased with himself and we’re very pleased with him.
“York would be the logical step from here, hopefully there we’ll find his preferred dry surface.”
On the same day another horse brought prize money back to the yard as James’s Delight landed the Listed Prix Kistena at Deauville.
The three-year-old, who is owned by Paul and Clare Rooney, won a valuable sprint handicap at York in June and backed up that success with another when prevailing by a length and a half on soft ground in France.
“It was a really pleasing performance, he won really nicely in France on Saturday,” Cox said.
“Similarly he has come home really well, it was Clare Rooney’s birthday which made it all the more special on the day.
“We will just feel our way, he’s only been home a couple of days. His progress has been impeccable this season.
“We’ll decide after a few days what to do next, there are plenty of options available for him now he’s performed in Pattern company with such confidence. It’s great to see the progress he’s making.”
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Clive Cox is keen for Ghostwiter to take his place in a red-hot Coral-Eclipse early next month, as long as conditions at Sandown do not turn testing in the build-up.
With the sun finally emerging from its early-season hiatus and summer ground now appearing in going descriptions on a regular basis, the Beechdown Stables handler is excited to test Ghostwriter’s credentials in deep waters buoyed by his performance on unsuitable heavy conditions at Chantilly in the French Derby.
The Royal Lodge winner’s quality enabled him to finish fourth in that Classic assignment – beaten a little over three lengths – while he also performed with enormous credit prior to that when also fourth in the 2000 Guineas.
Derby hero City Of Troy and Tattersalls Gold Cup winner White Birch are just two high-class opponents Ghostwriter could face at the Esher track on July 6, where Cox hopes the son of Invincible Spirit can make his mark if competing on a sound surface.
Cox said: “Ghostwriter is in great form and worked really well on Saturday morning. As long as we don’t have soft ground for Sandown in a couple of weeks time, then at the moment we are hopefully heading to the Eclipse.
“The Guineas form keeps getting franked day by day and I do feel that his performance on the slightly easier ground in France would lead us to being quite excited about returning to a quicker surface over a mile and a quarter.
“It could be a very deep race but we are looking forward to it.”
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Clive Cox will not rush into making a plan for Ghostwriter having seen him finish fourth in his second Classic of the season on Sunday.
The Jeff Smith-owned colt finished three and three-quarter lengths behind the impressive winner Look De Vega in the French Derby at Chantilly.
That followed another meritorious run in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket, with Cox feeling the rain-softened ground just blunted Ghostwriter’s turn of foot in France and is minded to keep him to quicker ground in future.
“He ran a really nice race and I think the amount of rain during the last week probably hindered his finishing kick,” said Cox.
“I couldn’t say he didn’t go on the ground as he’s finished close enough, but quicker ground would have just helped him a little more.
“Most importantly I’m really pleased with the way he has come out of the race, I’m very happy indeed that he’s come out of it really well.”
Ghostwriter found himself a bit short of room turning into the straight, but his trainer was making no excuses.
Cox said: “He was very lucky to get his way out of a tight spot turning into the straight and then he just lengthened to the line.
“I think the winner was pretty impressive but our lad ran a good, solid race and a drier surface will help him more in the future.
“I don’t think we’ll be dropping back to a mile, we’re quite happy that the trip was favourable and we’d be quite happy that he’ll continue to build on what he has shown so far.
“We’ve no thoughts about where next, he’s well entered up so we’ve got many options open and we’ll bear in mind what we thought about the ground as well.”
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Clive Cox was “very happy and relieved” to avoid a wide draw with Ghostwriter in Sunday’s Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly.
The son of Invincible Spirit carries rock-solid credentials into the French Derby after overcoming trouble in running to finish fourth in the 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
That form has been franked by placed horses Rosallion and Haatem going on to dominate the Irish equivalent, while sixth-placed Inisherin dropped down in trip to secure an impressive success in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
With Ghostwriter having prevailed over a mile as a juvenile in the Royal Lodge and then staying on strongly in the Guineas, a step up in distance looks sure to suit the Jeff Smith-owned colt.
Cox said: “We’re very pleased with the two stall. With 15 runners, we’re very happy with that. We don’t have to worry about being out wide now, so thank goodness. We’re very happy and that’s definitely a piece of the jigsaw that has been sorted out.
“He’s in very good shape and we’re looking forward to travelling over. I really think stepping up to 10 furlongs will be beneficial for him and the ground is the same for every horse.
“He’s only performed on a quicker surface, so that’s a territory we’re just going to have to find out about, but I’m confident with the way he moves that he’ll handle himself on softer ground.
“We’ve had a good week so far and at this time of year it’s pleasing with some very nice races coming up.
“Ghostwriter’s main target was the Guineas to begin with and he ran a super race to finish fourth. Without a shadow of a doubt, the form of the Guineas is already showing how strong a Guineas it was.
“You have the first and second in the Irish Guineas and then the sixth horse winning the Sandy Lane. It’s very pleasing to see that form look so solid.
Trainer Clive Cox has plenty of faith in Ghostwriter (John Walton/PA).
“We’re looking forward to stepping up to a mile and a quarter, he’s out of a Champs Elysees mare and I very much believe that winning over a mile in the Royal Lodge last year gave us that confidence that with more strength we would be able to step up in trip.
“And after such a pleasing run in the Guineas, we’re really looking forward to it.”
Aidan O’Brien, who claimed this prize three years ago with St Mark’s Basilica, is also looking forward to trying Diego Velazquez over a longer trip.
The son of Frankel won the Group Two Golden Fleece Stakes over a mile at Leopardstown at two and was doing his best work at the business end when a close fourth in the French 2,000 Guineas first time out this term.
O’Brien said: “With Diego, we felt a mile is as short as he wanted to go and we thought a mile and a quarter might be his ideal trip.
“Obviously he could get further, but we always viewed him as a French Derby horse more than anything else.
“We thought and hoped Chantilly would suit him. Everything has gone very well since the French Guineas, he came out of it very well.
Diego Velazquez and Ryan Moore after winning at Leopardstown (Damien Eagers/PA).
“He stays and he’s uncomplicated. It was a very good run-out the last time, we were over the moon, and Christophe (Soumillon) was very happy with him as well.
“We definitely think he has plenty of class, especially for a mile-and-a-quarter horse.”
David Menuisier’s Sunway has been a beaten favourite in two starts this season but does have a Group One victory in France on his CV from last term, when upsetting the reopposing Alcantor in the Criterium International at Saint-Cloud on very soft ground.
Sunway (second right) represents David Menuisier (Tim Goode/PA)
“One day, he’ll show the same class in the afternoon as he does in the morning,” said Menuisier. “Sunway proved last year that he was a very good horse and has a big race in him.”
Fast Tracker is rated the leading home hope by bookmakers, with the Henri-Alex Pantall-trained son of Churchill having been snapped up by Wathnan Racing since scoring by a wide margin at Listed level over this course and distance.
James Doyle takes the ride and Pantall said: “Fast Tracker is a straightforward ride as he races handily, doesn’t pull and he’ll be able to adapt. He exhibits just one flaw in his racing style, as he takes time to pick up when the pace quickens.”
Look De Vega is unbeaten after two outings for Carlos and Yann Lerner, while Ace Impact’s half-brother Arrow Eagle represents last year’s winning combination of trainer Jean-Claude Rouget and jockey Cristian Demuro.
Rouget also saddles Wahdan and Grecian Storm as he bids to complete a hat-trick of Prix du Jockey Club triumphs.
Clive Cox is backing Richard Kingscote to shine as he reunites with Ghostwriter in the Qatar Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday.
The Derby-winning jockey has ridden the Jeff Smith-owned colt in four of his three career starts to date, first partnering him on debut to take a Newmarket maiden back in August.
William Buick then took the ride when the son of Invincible Spirit won at Ascot the following month, but Kingscote returned to the saddle for a significant victory in the Royal Lodge back at Newmarket at the end of the season.
Ghostwriter made his three-year-old bow in the 2000 Guineas on the Rowley Mile, where he was steered to a most respectable fourth-placed finish by Kingscote in the opening colts’ Classic of the season, the form of which is already working out well.
Now the French Derby, beckons, where Kingscote will retain the ride as he bids to add the title to the Epsom win he secured aboard the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Desert Crown in 2022.
“Richard will 100 per cent ride and I’m really pleased, he rode a superb Group Two winner for us in the Temple Stakes at Haydock on Saturday,” said Cox, referring to Kerdos’ weekend triumph.
“He’s won on him (Ghostwriter) twice and he rode him in the 2000 Guineas as well.”
Of the plan of attack this weekend, Cox added: “I don’t think he’s complicated, we can organise our plans according to how the draw provides us with choices.
“He is very versatile and very balanced, I’m more than happy. The better draw you get, the better you sleep at night, but in the meantime I’m happy that he’s a balanced horse and we will make our plans according to the draw.”
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Ghostwriter will get the chance to further enhance the 2000 Guineas form when he runs in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on Sunday.
Clive Cox’s Newmarket fourth is one of 21 colts left in the French Derby and he has been buoyed by how the horses who finished in his vicinity in the race won by Notable Speech ran at the weekend.
The Richard Hannon pair of Rosallion and Haatem, second and third at HQ, dominated the Irish Guineas on Saturday, while Kevin Ryan’s Inisherin, who led for a long way before fading into sixth, lowered the colours of Vandeek in the Sandy Lane Stakes at Haydock.
“I’m very pleased indeed with him, he’s had a healthy timeframe between the Guineas and this weekend,” said Cox.
“He’s pleased me very much indeed and the form of the Guineas has worked out brilliantly, with Kevin’s horse winning as well as Richard’s two finishing first and second in Ireland, so we’re very happy.
“We’ve been looking forward to stepping him up to a mile and a quarter, more importantly. He did really well last year when he was unbeaten and winning over a mile at two would give us every indication that he should get a little bit further this year.
“I hope we fare well in the draw and I’m really looking forward to it.”
Diego Velazquez is well fancied for the French Derby (Damien Eagers/PA)
Also in contention this weekend from the UK and Ireland are Karl Burke’s Arabic Legend, John and Thady Gosden’s God’s Window, David Menuisier’s Sunway and the Aidan O’Brien pair of Diego Velazquez and Cambridge.
French Guineas winner Metropolitan and Henri-Alex Pantall’s Fast Tracker lead the home team.
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They often say fourth in the Guineas, first in the Derby – and Clive Cox hopes that rings true for the French equivalent as well, as he eyes a trip to Chantilly for Ghostwriter following his fine effort in the 2000 Guineas.
Unbeaten as a two-year-old, the son of Invincible Spirit was sent off at 14-1 in the hands of Richard Kingscote for the opening Classic of the summer, overcoming a stumble exiting the stalls and also becoming unbalanced entering the dip to finish a respectable fourth behind impressive winner Notable Speech.
It was a performance that suggested Ghostwriter will thrive once upped in distance and although the colt holds an entry for the Betfred Derby at Epsom, Cox is keen to stick to 10 furlongs and place a bullseye on the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly on June 2.
👏 Smart performance
Ghostwriter pens the next chapter in his career, staying on powerfully to land the G2 @JuddmonteFarms Royal Lodge Stakes for @RKingscote & Clive Cox to make it three wins from as many starts pic.twitter.com/WqyO5wzOzu
“I don’t think there was any doubt we saw a very impressive winner, but I’m very happy he ran very well,” said Cox.
“Things didn’t go entirely smoothly for him, but it’s certainly not a disappointing reflection. He just stumbled coming out of the stalls and also got a bit unbalanced coming into the dip as well.
“He’s come out of the race very well and I think as a mile winner at two who has undoubtedly done very well over the winner, I was very pleased with the performance, and I now think he will be helped by going a mile and a quarter at this stage.
“That would be our intention as long as he is fit and well. He’s done a very gentle canter this morning and I’m thrilled he has come out of the race really well.
“I hope he will continue his progress and I would say, after speaking with Jeff (Smith, owner) this morning, that the French Derby is going to be our likely target.”
Ghostwriter also holds an entry in York’s Dante Stakes later this month, but with a short span of time between the the Guineas and his French Classic assignment, Cox is willing to forego a fact-finding mission over 10 furlongs and cross the Channel with a freshened-up Derby contender.
Clive Cox was thrilled with Ghostwriter’s Guineas efforts (John Walton/PA)
“The Dante comes soon enough and although the Dante would be ideal, we were very keen to run in the Guineas and he justified that with a really solid run,” continued Cox.
“York will come soon enough and then the timeframe between the Guineas and the French Derby is probably going to be much more suitable.
“He’s a very nice horse and I’m just very pleased he has come out of the race well and we can now look forward to him going a mile and a quarter.”
Owner Jeff Smith is still searching for that elusive Classic victory, but could have his strongest-ever hand to play in this season’s Guineas, as Ghostwriter and See The Fire head to Newmarket in pursuit of big-race glory next weekend.
Smith’s famous purple and blue silks have been made popular by the likes of Lochsong and Persian Punch down the years, while Chief Singer went closest to breaking the Hampshire-based owner’s duck in the year’s most prestigious races when finishing second in the 2000 Guineas four decades ago.
However, he has now been given cause to dream once again by this year’s aspiring three-year-olds, who head to Newmarket with leading claims.
First up for his shot at Classic honours is the Clive Cox-trained Ghostwriter, who was unbeaten during his two-year-old campaign, finishing off by dazzling over the Guineas track and trip when claiming the Royal Lodge.
👏 Smart performance
Ghostwriter pens the next chapter in his career, staying on powerfully to land the G2 @JuddmonteFarms Royal Lodge Stakes for @RKingscote & Clive Cox to make it three wins from as many starts pic.twitter.com/WqyO5wzOzu
That kind of profile has Smith excited for when his son of Invincible Spirit returns to the Rowley Mile to do battle against the likes of odds-on favourite City Of Troy and Rosallion.
He said: “I haven’t seen him for two weeks but Clive is very upbeat and couldn’t have the horse in better condition, given there is only a week to go – and we’re extremely hopeful.
“He’s an unbeaten two-year-old with cracking form and we would go there with every chance. If you take the favourite out of the colts’ race, then it is wide open.
“Chief Singer came second but Norse Dancer came third and was beaten slightly less, so you could argue that was better. I’ve had the second, third and fourth, so it’s time for that to change.”
Chief Singer finishing second in the 1984 2000 Guineas (PA)
It is 40 years since Chief Singer’s silver medal in the colts’ one-mile showpiece, but the Littleton Stud owner still speaks fondly of the horse, who may have narrowly failed to scoop Classic honours but would go on to strike in three of the summer’s biggest contests.
Trained by Ron Sheather, Chief Singer would win the St James’s Palace Stakes, the July Cup and the Sussex Stakes at three to earn a special place in his owner’s affections.
“He was very special and I was very lucky to get him very early on in my time owning horses, it was just amazing,” said Smith.
“I think at the time, I realised how lucky I was, but if I didn’t then, I certainly realise how lucky I was now.”
See The Fire (right) in action against Ylang Ylang last season (Nigel French/PA)
More recently, it was Alcohol Free who excelled in Smith’s colours and although only fifth when sent off 5-2 joint-favourite for the 1000 Guineas in 2021, she would follow in the footsteps of Chief Singer and go on to strike at both Royal Ascot and in the Sussex Stakes at Goodwood.
Alcohol Free was trained by Andrew Balding, whose family have long been custodians of Smith’s finest equine talent, with the Kingsclere supremo in charge of preparing See The Fire for her 1000 Guineas tilt.
A daughter of Sea The Stars, out of Smith’s Group One-winning mare Arabian Queen, she is bred for the role of top-class performer and showcased her ability when placed in two hot contests at the end of last season.
It is Andrew Balding preparing See The Fire for Classic action (Mike Egerton/PA)
She has a length and a quarter to find with ante-post 1000 Guineas favourite Ylang Ylang from when the two clashed in the Fillies’ Mile, with Smith feeling See The Fire has just as good a chance as Ghostwriter of adding her name to the Classic-winning roll of honour.
He continued: “They are two proper chances, I’m extremely hopeful of both and I know all owners are balmy and optimistic and so on, but Ylang Ylang is favourite and we were beaten just over a length.
“On that occasion, we came too early if you look at it retrospectively and hung across the course, so why would that be favourite and we be much bigger? I think we go there with a great chance.
“We’ve never had a hand as good as this and if you can’t be enthusiastic about two Classic runners with chances, you may as well give up.”
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Clive Cox has been buoyed by a racecourse gallop ahead of Ghostwriter’s Qipco 2000 Guineas bid, confident his smart Newmarket form can prove a positive in the opening Classic of the season.
The son of Invincible Spirit was unbeaten throughout his two-year-old season and finished 2023 with a statement victory on the Rowley Mile in the Royal Lodge Stakes.
With that experience under the colt’s belt, Cox was happy to forego an early-season trial in favour of a pipe-opener at Kempton, with Ghostwriter – a general 14-1 shot to claim the scalp of Aidan O’Brien’s odds-on favourite City Of Troy on May 4 – reported to have thrived over the winter.
“I’m very happy with Ghostwriter and he has his Newmarket course form,” explained Cox.
“I’m very pleased he has done exceptionally well over the winter and we will be going there with a racecourse gallop under his belt. He’s done very well and that is why he hasn’t run in a trial.
“He’s been to Kempton and he’s a very athletic, clean-winded horse who has done well over the winter and we think that will have benefitted him far more than racing on testing ground, with his previous experience at Newmarket hopefully holding him in good stead.”
Another star juvenile for the Beechdown Stables team last season was the Kennet Valley-owned Dragon Leader, who suffered defeat just the once in five starts in 2023 as he proved a real money-spinner for connections.
Dragon Leader has been a real money-spinner for connections (PA)
Big victories at York and Redcar sandwiched a near miss in a valuable Doncaster event and Cox is eyeing stepping the son of El Kabeir up in trip this term when ground conditions allow him to return to action.
“He was a very productive runner last year earning over £300,000 in prize-money,” continued Cox.
“I’m pleased to say he’s wintered well, but he’s definitely better with a dry surface and we wouldn’t be making any concrete plans at the minute. When the ground gets a little bit quicker you will see him.
“Last year he was looking like seven furlongs would help him and I would be very hopeful he will get a mile. We kept him at six last year simply because he was so well qualified for those races. Six and a half was no problem for him at Doncaster though in the Weatherbys race.”
Clive Cox is “open-minded” as to whether to give his unbeaten colt Ghostwriter a prep run ahead of the Qipco 2000 Guineas at Newmarket.
The son of Invincible Spirit won each of his three starts as a juvenile, completing his hat-trick with a taking Group Two victory in the Royal Lodge Stakes at Newmarket in September.
Cox is delighted with how his charge has wintered and is now readying the Jeff Smith-owned three-year-old for a tilt at Classic glory on the first Saturday in May.
“Ghostwriter is really pleasing me, we’ve had a great winter with him and he’s trained well through the spring,” said the Lambourn-based trainer.
“I’m not sure about a trial, I think we’re open-minded. We definitely need to have him on fire for the Guineas in the first week of May and the going will play a part in whether we do have a trial or whether he has a racecourse gallop.”
Ghostwriter also holds an entry in the Derby at Epsom on June 1, with Cox optimistic he will stay further than the straight mile of the Guineas.
He added: “He won over a mile at two and being out of a Champs Elysees mare, I think he could stay a little bit further.
“He’s got an entry in the Dante as well, so we’ve got longer trips in mind, but obviously he’s got a bit of class to win like he did at two and we’ll feel our way as we go regarding that (trip).
“I think he’s quite versatile ground-wise, but he’s only run on a quicker surface.”
https://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2024/04/273951142-scaled.jpg12802560Geegeez Newshttps://www.geegeez.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/geegeez_banner_new_170x78.pngGeegeez News2024-04-03 11:44:542024-04-03 11:44:54Cox undecided on Guineas trial for Ghostwriter
Clive Cox has the Qipco 2000 Guineas in mind as an early goal for his exciting unbeaten colt Ghostwriter.
The three-year-old is by Invincible Spirit and runs in the familiar purple and blue silks of Jeff Smith, whose most recent top-class performer was the multiple Group One winner Alcohol Free.
Ghostwriter made his debut at Newmarket in a July course maiden last August, prevailing by three and a half lengths over seven furlongs.
He then headed to Ascot for a novice event over the same trip, again winning comfortably when making the running and coming home a length and a quarter ahead of the runner-up.
His third and final outing of the season was on the Rowley Mile at Newmarket, where he stepped up in grade to contest the Group Two Juddmonte Royal Lodge Stakes.
Ghostwriter striding to victory in the Juddmonte Royal Lodge (Tim Goode/PA)
There he encountered some promising rivals, including the Ballydoyle contender Capulet – a Group Two runner-up ahead of the race having finished only half a length behind stablemate Diego Velazquez in the KPMG Champions Juvenile Stakes.
Cox’s runner was well able to step up to the mark, however, succeeding by a length and a quarter in a taking run under Richard Kingscote.
Naturally that performance has brought the Classics into focus for connections, particularly now the bay is proven over the Rowley Mile – home of the 2000 Guineas in May.
“He’s done really well, he had a super break and he’s been back cantering for three or four weeks,” Cox said.
👏 Smart performance
Ghostwriter pens the next chapter in his career, staying on powerfully to land the G2 @JuddmonteFarms Royal Lodge Stakes for @RKingscote & Clive Cox to make it three wins from as many starts pic.twitter.com/WqyO5wzOzu
Clive Cox is excited to see what the future holds for Ghostwriter following his taking success in Newmarket’s Royal Lodge Stakes.
Having impressed in his first two outings, the son of Invincible Spirit took the step up to both a mile and Group Two level in his stride to run out a convincing winner in the hands of Richard Kingscote when up against a useful cast on the Rowley Mile.
The victory puts the colt in the picture for next year’s Classics, with the youngster as short as 16-1 for both the 2000 Guineas and the Derby and his handler has been delighted with his progress throughout his juvenile campaign.
“He showed improvement from his first run with how he ran under a penalty at Ascot and this was a bigger step up again,” said Cox.
👏 Smart performance
Ghostwriter pens the next chapter in his career, staying on powerfully to land the G2 @JuddmonteFarms Royal Lodge Stakes for @RKingscote & Clive Cox to make it three wins from as many starts pic.twitter.com/WqyO5wzOzu
“He acquitted himself very impressively and backed up our hopes and thoughts from what we had been seeing at home.”
Ghostwriter’s Royal Lodge success earns him a spot in the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf if connections wish, while he also holds an entry for the Group One Futurity Trophy at Doncaster before the season ends.
Although refusing to completely rule out those options, Cox is minded to think to the future with his talented prospect and would have no qualms about now taking stock with the Jeff Smith-owned two-year-old and returning next spring with his 100 per cent record intact.
“I’m pleased to report he has come home well,” continued Cox.
Ghostwriter on his way to winning the Royal Lodge (Tim Goode/PA)
“We’ll discuss it further with Jeff in the meantime. Most importantly we will follow the horse’s appearance and well-being over the next week or so and that would be the guiding light really.
“While I am happy with him, I think physically, he has a big frame to mature into even more and I would definitely be inclined to be thinking from a physical point of view he will be a better horse next year and I’m really excited about the future.”
On the prospect of heading to Santa Anita next month, he added: “I think at this stage of his life that would be a huge step and with his size and scope and being so exciting for the future, I would just be very proud of what he has achieved so far this year.
“The level of expectation is such an exciting thought going forwards that it is a bigger picture than tomorrow and it is more about thinking further down the line.”
Get Ahead (left) finishing second in the Flying Five Stakes (Damien Eagers/PA)
While Ghostwriter’s career is only just beginning, Cox will bid farewell to the speedster Get Ahead following her fourth-placed finish in the Abbaye as she heads now heads to the paddocks.
An agonising second in the Flying Five Stakes on her previous start, she was somewhat unfortunate not to finish closer to ParisLongchamp winner Highfield Princess having been short of room at a vital stage.
“I guess that’s racing sometimes and they don’t run in lanes, but we’re extremely proud of what she has achieved throughout her career,” said Cox.
“I think to be second in the Flying Five and to back that up amongst some of the best sprinters in the world at Longchamp is quite rewarding and she will be heading to the paddocks now.
“I’m very proud to have been involved with her and, being related to a Guineas winner (her half-brother is Chaldean), she now has a great record on track to back up her pedigree.
“She’s a filly that will last long in our memories without a shadow of a doubt.”
Also heading for a career as a broodmare is Tregony, who was a star of the Racing League last term, but has taken her form to the next level of late and now bows out after a career-best effort to deny New London in the Listed Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes.
Tregony winning the Al Basti Equiworld, Dubai Godolphin Stakes (Tim Goode/PA)
“She’s been impeccable and the courage she displayed on Friday was amazing,” added Cox.
“We had previously felt she had only just got the mile and a half really, but Saffie (Osborne, jockey) gave her such a wonderful ride and managed to settle her into a perfect rhythm through the race that she was able to display that courage and determination she has always had at a crucial stage.
“I’m just thrilled she has that winning Listed success to go with her previous black-type placed effort and she’s now bound for the paddocks and will surely be a very exciting broodmare.”
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