Cheveley Park hopes patience pays off with Inspiral

INSPIRAL is set to step up her work as she closes in on her intended return to action in the Coronation Stakes at Royal Ascot. The Frankel filly spent the winter months as ante-post favourite for the 1000 Guineas after rounding off an unbeaten juvenile campaign with victory in the Fillies’ Mile at Newmarket in October. But connections admitted in April her preparation had not been “100 per cent straightforward” and a few days later she was ruled out of the Rowley Mile Classic.

Chris Richardson, managing director for owners Cheveley Park Stud, said: “I saw her the other morning and she seems to be enjoying herself. She’ll probably have a proper gallop, not on a racecourse, possibly on Racecourse Side, in the coming days – it [Royal Ascot] is only nine days away. We’ve had to be patient, but hopefully it will be worth it.”

The Coronation Stakes is shaping up to be a fascinating affair, with impressive Irish 1,000 Guineas winner Homeless Songs, 1000 Guineas heroine Cachet and French Guineas scorer Mangoustine among Inspiral’s potential rivals.

Richardson added: “The scene is different now with Homeless Songs winning so well in Ireland and Tuesday [second in Irish Guineas] franking that form by winning the Oaks. This time of year everything comes so fast, there is normally more time between the Derby and Ascot even, but there’s not this year.”

Meanwhile, Martyn Meade is looking forward to running Lone Eagle at Royal Ascot, providing conditions do not get too quick.

After picking up an injury in the King George at Ascot, he returned from a 301-day lay-off to finish third behind Third Realm at Goodwood in the Tapster Stakes last month and Meade said: “He’s really good, he’s come out of the race at Goodwood really well. We could run him at Ascot in something like the Hardwicke Stakes. It would work if the ground was good, but we wouldn’t run him if it was firm.”