Ghaiyyath can benefit from a fresh approach

GHAIYYATH can gain a landmark first British Group One victory in today’s Hurworth Bloodstock Coronation Cup at Newmarket.

The 12-furlong contest may have switched venue from Epsom, but it has again drawn a top-class field with no less than five individual Group One winners and two Group Three scorers in the line up.

Ghaiyyath has so far shown his best form on his travels.

But he proved quite capable as a juvenile, counting the Autumn Stakes in his two wins, while his one run at three yielded Group Three gold in France.

The Dubawi horse really began to show his true potential last term though, winning the Prix d’harcourt first time up before he found subsequent Arc victor Waldgeist too good in the Ganay.

That run was a touch disappointing, but you could not be anything other than impressed with his 14-length stroll in the Grosser Preis Von Baden before he found deep ground and the competition far too much of a test in the Arc.

Charlie Appleby had set his sights on the Sheema Classic with Ghaiyyath and his warm up run produced a comfortable eight-length victory, but then the big race was called off amid the coronavirus pandemic. That cancellation can play in Ghaiyyath’s favour though as he seemingly runs his best when fresh and given he is rated 126, which puts him among the top rank worldwide, it will be a letdown if he cannot stamp his authority on this event.

Oxted has a bit to find with Brando in the Betway Abernant Stakes, but this four-year-old looks ready to make the transition to Group race performer this term. With just seven previous runs, Oxted looks to have any amount of improvement in him.