Weekender should have a day in the sun

WEEKENDER can take another step up the ladder by taking the Group Three Matchbook VIP Henry II Stakes on a high-quality evening card at Sandown today.

The John Gosden-trained colt has shown progressive form throughout his career and looked set for a successful campaign when making a winning seasonal reappearance at Chelmsford.

He may only have won a five-runner event, but did it in effortless fashion from the front to beat the useful Higher Power by two and a half lengths.

As that was only Weekender’s seventh start, it is fair to say the best could still be to come from the four-year-old son of Frankel.

Weekender is stepping up in trip as well as grade, but it would be unwise to underestimate him.

Gosden can also land the Matchbook Is Commission Free Heron Stakes with the highly-promising colt Without Parole.

Also by Frankel, the threeyear-old has won both his novice races in great style by six lengths.

He was in contention for the 2000 Guineas until being ruled out with a slight setback. The St James’s Palace Stakes remains a big target and he can book his ticket to Royal Ascot.

Poet’s Word, who chased home the Gosden-trained superstar Cracksman by seven lengths in the Champion Stakes, has much less on his plate in the Matchbook Brigadier Gerard Stakes.

Sir Michael Stoute’s fiveyear-old finished sixth in the Hong Kong Cup after that effort and was a good third in the Dubai Sheema Classic at Meydan in March.

Wedding Date can continue the remarkable record of the Hannon stable in the Matchbook Commission Free On All Sports National Stakes.

Richard Hannon senior won this Listed dash 10 times while his son already has two on the board.

Wedding Date looked to have learnt for a debut second at Brighton by trotting up at Chester.

Shaherezada is entitled to come on for her exertions in the Cheshire Oaks in which she was fifth to Magic Wand on her first start since she opened her account in November.

Trainer Roger Varian looks to have found a good opportunity for the Dutch Art filly in the Height Of Fashion Stakes at Goodwood.

Yeah Baby Yeah won nicely at York last week and can defy a 6lb penalty for trainer Gay Kelleway in the Double Delight Hat-Trick Heaven At totesport.com Fillies’ Handicap at Chelmsford.