Mostahdaf’s connections will keep a close eye on conditions at Ascot before making a final decision on his entry into Saturday’s Qipco Champion Stakes.
Five-year-old John and Thady Gosden, winner of the Prince of Wales’s Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Juddmonte International at York this season, is set to return to Berkshire on Champions Day.
However, a forecast for heavy rain later in the week and the prospect of running on soft or even heavy ground is an obvious concern for a horse that has a proven preference for fast ground.
Angus Gold, racing manager of owner-breeder Shadwell, said: “The forecast is obviously not good but there is no point in making a fuss about it and we have to take what we get.
“We’ll just keep an eye on it and I’ll talk to Sheikha Hissa and John and see if we can come to a decision between us.
“As we all know at this meeting, you can get some really bad ground at this time of year and when he raced on that in the Arc last year he couldn’t cope with it at all.
“There’s no point in just getting beaten, but at the same time we’re really keen to get involved and try to round off his season with another big win at Ascot.”
Connections does have a fallback option in the form of the Breeders’ Cup Turf on November 4, but is not looking further than Saturday at this stage.
“That was always the point – the main target was Ascot and if it didn’t work out because of the weather or whatever then we had the option of the Breeders’ Cup,” Gold added. “We didn’t really talk about it because we always hoped to go to Ascot.”
Varian is convinced that Dettori suits King Of Steel
Roger Varian is confident King Of Steel is at the top of his game ahead of his bid to provide Frankie Dettori with what could be a farewell winner in Great Britain in Saturday’s Qipco Champion Stakes.
Wootton Bassett’s colt was narrowly denied Derby glory at Epsom by Auguste Rodin and enjoyed his day in the sun as he dominated the King Edward VII Stakes at Royal Ascot before a good defeat in both the King George and Irish Champion Stakes.
With owners Amo Racing no longer employing Kevin Stott, Dettori has been called up for what is scheduled to be the Italian’s final race in Europe on British Championship Day. Varian believes his three-year-old star is in top condition, as he looks. give his rider the perfect farewell on British soil.
“Whether Frankie opts out or not, I think he suits the horse, and I think the race suits him as well,” the trainer said. “He (Dettori) came and rode him and he was happy with him. It won’t be an easy race, but both horse and jockey are going there in good form. I wouldn’t trade him.”
“He’s trained great and looks great. They tell you when they’re right, and he’s telling us now.”
“The Breeders’ Cup is not completely off the table yet, but the Champion Stakes at Ascot obviously comes first and that is where our focus is.”
King of steel is one of 11 horses competing for the Champion Stakes after the confirmation phase, with Horizon Doré and last year’s winner Bay bridge other major players.
The Clarehaven team also confirmed this Nashwaalthough she also has the option to run in the previous Queen Elizabeth II Stakes, with William Haggas having run in both thirds of last year My Prospero and globetrotting Dubai honor.
Via Sistina (George Boughey), Royal rhyme (Karl Burke) and Aidan O’Brien’s couple Point Lonsdale And Paddington are the other acceptors, although it is generally expected that the latter will also join the QEII by more than a mile.