Stubbs Art bidding to make it third time lucky

Jun 17 2008 by Chris Wright, Liverpool Daily Post

WHILE it is hard to see odds-on favourite Henrythenavigator not charting a course to victory, Stubbs Art aims to make it third time lucky in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot today.

The David Elsworth-trained colt has twice been third behind his rival today and Derby hero New Approach as Aidan O’Brien’s classy colt claimed victory in the English and Irish 2000 Guineas.

O’Brien’s Kingmambo colt will start at cramped odds and although connections of Stubbs Art are realistic of their chances of turning round the five-and-a-quarter length deficit, they are happy to give it go.

Jimmy Lindley, racing manager to owner Matthew Green said: “We’ve got it all to do to beat Henrythenavigator because he’s got his ground now. We would have liked a bit of rain. Our horse finds a bit more when it’s soft and I was hoping it would come up soft so Henry wouldn’t turn up, but he’s 16-1 and the bookies are putting horses in front of him in the market that he has beaten.

“He proved his run in the 2,000 Guineas was no fluke because he held his form at the Curragh and in fact he got nearer the Derby winner there than he did at Newmarket.

“That was great form and the beauty of him is he’s a lovely, genuine horse, who runs his heart out and David Elsworth said he’s improved since then.

“He did a lovely bit of work on the July course at Newmarket. They let him do some work there last week and it was lovely ground. He pleased everybody and we’re looking for a big run tomorrow.”

Lindley won three times a jockey and he added: “We’ve got the draw – nine – so all the others are on his outside. With any luck we can drop in behind the pacemakers and everything will go our way and not theirs.”

Stubbs Art finished half a length ahead of fourth-placed Raven’s Pass at Newmarket, but the latter’s connections are also hopeful of reversing the form.

Raven’s Pass is owned under the banner of Stonerside Stable, run by Robert and Janice McNair in Kentucky, and trained by John Gosden.

French 2,000 Guineas winner Falco lines up today and his big-race jockey Olivier Peslier is looking forward to taking on O’Brien’s star colt.

Peslier said: “Falco is a very tall, strong horse and has needed some time but his inside draw is a good help and he has a lot of early speed.

“My horse is a champion and it will be a big clash with Henrythenavigator, but now we will see who is best. Falco won very well last time and I think he has a good chance.”

Rio De La Plata was a three-length second to Falco in the French Guineas at Longchamp, and is back down to the mile trip after failing to last home when seventh to New Approach in the Derby at Epsom.

Trainer Saeed bin Suroor said: “Rio De La Plata will appreciate the return to a mile because he didn’t really stay over the Derby trip while he also lost a shoe during that race. He’s in good form. He looks happy and fresh but really needs good or good to soft ground.”

In the day’s big sprint contest, the King’s Stand Stakes Fleeting Spirit bids to add to her blistering success when breaking the course record at Haydock in the Temple Stakes last month.

Jeremy Noseda’s three-year-old filly Fleeting Spirit is a warm favourite to add to that success in today’s five-furlong Group One contest.

Her trainer is happy with how her preparation has gone since the win on Merseyside.

Noseda said: “I am very happy with Fleeting Spirit. Her build-up has gone well and she appears to be in tip-top order.

“It looks as if she will get her favoured fast ground, now we’ll just ask for a good break and a little bit of luck in running.”