LION’S US PLOT
ROARING LION will target the Breeders’ Cup at Churchill Downs if heavy ground prevents him from running at Ascot next month.
John Gosden, who faultlessly prepared the colt to win the Coral-Eclipse, Juddmonte International and the Irish Champion Stakes, said: “If it was heavy he wouldn’t run at Ascot (Qipco Champion Stakes), but if it was good to soft he would, as he has won on it before.
“The Breeders’ Cup comes sharply after Champions Day at Ascot. If he went to the States it could be the mile-anda-half Breeders’ Cup Turf or we could have a look at the Classic (run on dirt). He is a mile-and-a-quarter horse so you would consider the Classic as well as the Turf.
“The mile-and-a-half around three bends is not that different to a stiff mile-and-aquarter uphill at Ascot. It is not like going a mile-and-a-half around Ascot.”
Gosden is full of admiration for the tough Roaring Lion, officially rated the best threeyear-old in Europe. His busy campaign has taken in seven races this season, including an excellent third behind Masar in the Derby.
Excellent
“He has some constitution as he has been on the go since February,” said Gosden.
If conditions go against Roaring Lion at Ascot, Gosden has an excellent substitute in Cracksman, the winner of last year’s Champion Stakes.
“Cracksman is building up for the Arc,” said the trainer. “If we get the rain there he will be running there, if not we will wait for the Champion Stakes.
“He worked yesterday and he is coming back. He very much enjoys this type of weather.”
Gosden, heading for a third trainers’ title, clearly holds the aces again this year.
He confirmed all is good with Enable in her preparation for a second successive victory in the Arc in 13 days’ time when she will be partnered by Frankie Dettori.
“She has been good since her win in the September Stakes at Kempton,” he said. “We are building her up to the Arc and we are happy with her progress and she seems well in herself.
“Hopefully, they will get a bit of rain in Paris as I thought the ground was a bit fast there last week, which is not entirely her scene as she appreciates getting her toe in. She will do a couple of pieces of work between now and then.”
Regarding his stars for the future, Too Darn Hot is on course for the Dewhurst Stakes at Newmarket (October 13), following last week’s brilliant display in the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster. And his unbeaten stable companion Beatboxer runs in the Royal Lodge at Newmarket (Sept 29).