RIBCHESTER ON TRACK
PAGES OF FANTASTIC START WITH HORSE RACING
TRAINER Richard Fahey is confident Ribchester can sign off his British season in style by taking Saturday’s QEII Stakes at Ascot on Qipco Champions Day.
“Everything has gone according to plan,” said Fahey, who plans to run his colt later in the year in the Breeders’ Cup or head to Japan.
“He’s a very easy horse to train with no issues, touch wood.
“I’m able to get the work into him when I want and he’s a very willing horse who enjoys his work, which is a huge help.”
Victory in the QEII, Europe’s richest mile event, for Ribchester will compensate for his defeat in last year’s contest when he finished second behind the Aidan O’Brientrained Minding.
O’Brien, as expected, has a strong hand headed by Churchill, the dual 2,000 Guineas winner, and Roly Poly, who never runs a bad race.
Fahey is not concerned about the ground which is expected to be on ® the soft side of good. “He tends to go on any ground,” added Fahey.
“When he got beat at Goodwood – I’m not blaming the heavy ground, I’m blaming the conditions – it was blowing a gale and pouring down with rain.
“It was a horrible day. If you’ve ever run yourself in rain and wind, it’s not comfortable and it just caught him out but he’s bounced back and won a Group One in France since, so we are very happy and comfortable with him.”
Coral make Ribchester the 9-4 favourite with Beat The Bank and Churchill 4-1 chances. Roly Poly looks the value at 14-1.
Fahey is keen on a global challenge for his stable-star as victory will entitle him to a huge bonus if he can add to his success in this year’s Lockinge and Queen Anne Stakes.
Andrew Balding who was responsible for Ribchester’s defeat in the Sussex Stakes with Here Comes When is considering renewing rivalry with his gelding. “A lot depends on the weather for Here Comes When, who is obviously a much better horse when there is a lot of rain around,” said Balding.
“He’s in great form and is a horse who historically goes very well fresh. We are very happy not having run since Goodwood.”
Balding has no reservations about running Beat The Bank.
“He’s been very progressive, seems to handle any type of ground and the way he won the Joel Stakes suggests he might have a chance at the highest level,” he said.
“He won it emphatically and deserves a step up in class. Only time will tell whether he is up to it, but we hope so.”
Sir Michael Stoute has confirmed that Ulysses will lock horns with Cracksman in the Qipco Champion Stakes.
Barney Roy will also run but O’Brien has taken Winter out of the race.
He is expected to be represented by Cliffs Of Moher.