Capri revving up again
AIDAN O’BRIEN hopes to salvage Capri’s abridged campaign in the Qipco Champion Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
Last year’s St Leger winner was off the track for five months after winning at Naas in April until placing fifth in the Prix Foy on September 16. Then he put up a display matching his Classic-winning exploits when beaten just three lengths in fifth behind Enable in the Arc. Given the lack of miles on Capri’s clock, O’Brien now wants to extend the grey’s season and drop back in distance in the Champion over 1m2f. But O’Brien’s fellow Arc also-ran Kew Gardens (seventh) may be put away after a busy campaign rather than taking in the Long Distance Cup on the big Ascot card. “I’m not sure if Kew Gardens will go,” said O’Brien. “We will decide early in the week. You are never sure if he will get two miles. He won the St Leger, so there is every chance, but he has had a long season.
“Capri might go for the Champion.”
O’Brien is also considering Ascot targets for Flag Of Honour (Long Distance Cup), Hydrangea (Champions Fillies & Mares) and Happily (Queen Elizabeth II Stakes).
O’Brien enjoyed a Listed race double at Navan yesterday with All The King’s Men and Peach Tree but his hope in the Irish Cesarewitch, Cliffs Of Doneen, was pulled up behind the 16-1 winner Brazos.
The staying race was also one to forget for Willie Mullins who had saddled a one-two in the English equivalent 24 hours earlier. Of Mullins’ seven runners, Nessun Dorma did best in fourth