Preparing another bite at the Bullet
DAVID GRIFFITHS is considering the Beverley Bullet – and then then Prix de l’Abbaye – for his sprinting star Ornate.
He was speaking after the horse finished a far from disgraced third to the brilliant Battaash in the King George Stakes at Goodwood.
The Bawtry trainer specialises in sprinters and has had a horse placed at Goodwood’s premier meeting every year since 2013, including Take Cover, who took the King George in 2014 and 2016.
Ornate won at Epsom on Derby day last year and ran with great credit last Friday behind Battaash, whose dominance saw a new fivefurlong course record set.
“If you took Battaash out, he’s only beaten a neck by a Group One winner in Glass Slippers,” said Griffiths, who trains his small but select string with wife Sophie.
“He’s getting there and he loves the track, but he does need the ground to be quick. Oisin (Murphy) got off him and said the Abbaye. That could be long term, but shorter term we’ll probably think about the Beverley Bullet.”
Griffiths is hoping his tough sprinter will benefit from the late start to the season.
“He won a conditions race there (at Beverley) last year, so that could be a good stepping-stone to the Abbaye for him,” he added.
“He was sixth in the Bullet last season, but he’d had a hard year and was on the way out when he ran in it. This year he’s only had the four runs now. Hopefully, he’s still fresh and well.”
■ Nigel Tinkler is thinking of giving Ubettabelieveit a speculative entry in the Coolmore Nunthorpe Stakes at York against the likes of Battaash.
The speedy youngster could stick to his own age group for the Roses Stakes, also over five furlongs, but Tinkler has not ruled out looking at the all-aged Group One on August 21.
Ubettabelieveit showed he was an above-average two-year-old when winning the Listed National Stakes at Sandown.
“He is more likely to go to York, but he wouldn’t run if it was very firm ground,” said North Yorkshire-based Tinkler.
■ Raffle Prize is on course for an autumn return following an enforced summer break.
Middleham trainer Mark Johnston’s filly enjoyed an excellent juvenile campaign in 2019 – winning the Queen Mary Stakes at Royal Ascot and the Duchess of Cambridge at Newmarket, before finishing second in the Prix Morny and the Cheveley Park Stakes.
However, she trailed home last of 15 runners on her seasonal reappearance in the 1000 Guineas in early June and has not been seen in competitive action since.
■ ITV Racing has agreed a new deal to continue terrestrial coverage of racing for another three years.
It took over at the start of 2017 and current arrangements were due to end this December.