Godolphin trainer Charlie Appleby expects last year’s Derby winner Masar to prove tough to beat if bringing his A game to the table in the Princess of Wales’s Tattersalls Stakes at Newmarket on Thursday.
The son of New Approach finished fifth on his first start since triumphing in the Epsom Classic when making his eagerly anticipated return to action in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot.
With that run his belt the Newmarket handler feels that Masar will take plenty of stopping in the mile and a half Group Two contest he won back in 2017 with Hawkbill.
Appleby said: “He has definitely come forward for his run at Ascot. As we all know at Ascot he didn’t make the tidiest of starts and he was never in the position we would have liked to see him in.
“He came into the race really well but he just got a bit tired and he had nice blow afterwards.
“He was as fit as we could get him without getting a run in but that run has definitely brought him forward and his preparation has gone well from Ascot to the Princess of Wales’s and he will be better with that run under his belt.
“He is moving well and his fitness is good. He is clear on ratings and if the Masar we are seeing at home turns up then they have him all to beat.”
Masar’s first run back in more than a year may have ended in defeat but it provided plenty of encouragement for Appleby that his stable star still retains all of his old ability.
He added: “When you are preparing a horse off a long lay off that has been running over a mile and a half at the top level you can get them fit to a level at home but a race just puts the edge on them.
“It was good to get him back and get his racing brain engaged. He showed all the right signs that his encouragement for the game was there.
“We feel this is a nice opportunity to get his head back in front and then hopefully afterwards we can start looking at an autumn campaign.”
Provided by Press Association Sport
