The Lir Jet lands Nunthorpe spot
THE LIR Jet is set to take on his elders in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York next month following his narrow defeat in France on Sunday.
An impressive debut performance at Yarmouth prompted leading owners Qatar Racing to secure his services and Sheikh Fahad’s operation was swiftly rewarded after Michael Bell’s juvenile lunged late to deny American challenger Golden Pal in the Norfolk Stakes at Royal Ascot.
Facing just three rivals in the six-furlong Prix Robert Papin at Chantilly, The Lir Jet was a hot favourite in the hands of Oisin Murphy, but suffered a short-head reverse to fellow British raider Ventura Tormenta, trained by Richard Hannon.
Bell said: “He’s back in the yard and seems none the worse for his exertions, thankfully.
“I’ve just been talking to Sheikh Fahad and I think we’re going to drop back to five furlongs for the Nunthorpe – that’s the thinking at the moment.
“Oisin is pretty emphatic that he’s better horse over five furlongs and the form book would suggest that, too.”
Bell is under no illusions about the task facing his juvenile in the Knavesmire sprint, with last year’s winner Battaash, July Cup hero Oxted, the exciting Art Power and his Royal Ascot rival Golden Pal among his potential rivals.
The Lir Jet will, however, receive a hefty weight concession from the older runners.
“If the Battaash we know turns up, he’ll be a worthy favourite, but if we don’t go there you’d be running somewhere carrying penalties, or running over six furlongs in the Prix Morny, which would mean more travelling,” Bell ventured.
“It’s not set in stone, but Sheikh Fahad’s view is you don’t succeed if you don’t try, which is a good attitude to have.”
The former Derby-winning trainer feels a combination of factors ultimately led to The Lir Jet suffering his first defeat.
He said: “He was just in front just before and just after the line, so it’s cruel luck, but that’s the way it goes sometimes.
“I think he probably did underperform, although we thought he looked great in the parade ring beforehand and we were very happy with him going into the race.
“I know there were only four runners, but if you’re looking for excuses, I do think the draw had an effect. It is difficult out on a wing and if we’d been drawn inside Ventura Tormenta, against the rail, we may have seen a different result.
“Take nothing away from the winner, though – it was obviously a well-executed plan from the Hannons and the Middleham Park team.”
Meanwhile Roger Varian would prefer soft ground in order for Royal Ascot winner Mountain Angel to show his best form in the Sky Bet York Stakes on Saturday.
The Group Two contest has attracted a field of nine, including last year’s Dante winner Telecaster and Elarqam who won this race in 2019 for the Mark Johnston team.
Mountain Angel relished the ease underfoot, finishing with a rare rattle to beat Sir Dragonet in the Wolferton Stakes.
“He’s an intended runner. We were delighted with him at Ascot where the soft ground certainly suited him. We’d be looking for some cut again on Saturday and he’s in good form,” said Varian.
Aspetar, second to Andre Fabre’s Magny Cours last time out, is also under serious consideration.
“He’s a likely runner,” said trainer Roger Charlton. We were pleased with his run last time and he’s come out of it well. It looks a good fit for him.”
Lord Glitters made a pleasing return to action when fourth in the Summer Mile and North Yorkshire trainer David O’Meara is tempted to step him up in trip again, having run in the Juddmonte International last season.
His assistant Jason Kelly said: “The run at Ascot blew the cobwebs away and he’s come out of the race well. It will be interesting to see how he goes.”
■ More owners are to be permitted to race meetings from July 28 onwards.
Currently entry is limited to two people per horse, including syndicates with multiple owners.
Now the British Horseracing Authority has said courses will have the discretion to increase the badge allocation for owners “in line with government and local guidance on gatherings”.