Newmarket rematch for Frontiersman

Frontiersman and Hawkbill race against each other for a second time in the 12-furlong G2 Princess of Wales's Stakes, highlight of day one of Newmarket's July Festival on Thursday, July 13.

The Charlie Appleby-trained duo both ran well over the same trip in the G1 Coronation Cup at Epsom Downs on June 2, with Frontiersman staying on strongly to take second, a place ahead of Hawkbill. The four-year-old Dubawi colt had previously been the impressive winner of a Newmarket handicap.

Fellow four-year-old Hawkbill, successful in the G1 Eclipse Stakes last season, makes a quickreappearance after fading to sixth in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud over a mile and a half at Saint-Cloud, France, on July 2.

Charlie Appleby said: "Frontiersman came out of the Coronation Cup in good form and we have been pleased with his preparation for this race.

"We have put some cheekpieces on him just to keep him focused and, hopefully, he can run another big race.

"Hawkbill disappointed in France last time and it might be down to the travelling - he is a bit of a character and he also didn't run well out there earlier in the season.

"We keep wanting to give him a break but he has been taking his races so well and we felt that it would be a shame to miss out, especially if the forecast rain arrives.

"If the rain comes and he turns up on his A-game, he will be competitive."

Frontiersman (William Buick) and Hawkbill (James Doyle) line up against five rivals headed by G3 Huxley Stakes runner-up Poet's Word and last year's G1 King George VI & Queen Elizabeth Stakes second Wings Of Desire.

On the same card, Atty Persse (Roger Charlton/James Doyle), who stormed to a three-length victory in the King George V Handicap over 12 furlongs at Royal Ascot, makes his Pattern debut in the G3 Bahrain Trophy.

The trio of Godolphin runners in the 13-furlong contest also includes G2 Dante Stakes fifth Wolf Country (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) and Tamleek (Saeed bin Suroor/Jim Crowley), who was eighth behind Benbatl in the G3 Hampton Court Stakes at Royal Ascot.

Roger Charlton commented: "Atty Persse is a tough little horse and has been training well.

"He surprised us a little bit at Ascot - I thought he produced an amazing performance from a wide draw.

"Stepping up to a mile and a half was to his advantage last time out and I see no reason why an extra furlong won't aid us further."

Charlie Appleby added: "Going back up in trip is going to suit Wolf Country.

"He won a Listed race over a mile and a half in France at the start of the season and then was caught for a turn of foot in the shorter Dante Stakes."

Saeed bin Suroor said: "This looks the right race for Tamleek.

"He ran OK at Royal Ascot, but I am hoping for a better result this time. He looks to be in good condition, is ready to go and the step up in trip should suit."

Sound And Silence (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) also won at Royal Ascot, gamely beating stable companion Roussel by a neck in the five-furlong Listed Windsor Castle Stakes, and the two-year-old Exceed And Excel colt moves up in class and trip for the G2 July Stakes over six furlongs. He is drawn five of the 12 runners, with the unbeaten Royal Ascot winner Rajasinghe being the leading contender.

Charlie Appleby reported: "We felt this race was a nice opportunity to try Sound And Silence over six furlongs. He settles well at home and shows all of the right signs that he will stay this trip.

"If he runs well, then it opens up a few avenues later in the season and, if he doesn't, then we can always drop back to five furlongs."

D'bai (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) drops backs to a mile for the Listed Sir Henry Cecil Stakes after coming home 10th in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly, France, on June 4, and the Dubawi colt is joined by G2 Dante Stakes seventh Syphax (Kevin Ryan/Tom Eaves).

G2 Sandy Lane Stakes sixth Brian The Snail (Richard Fahey/William Buick) lines up in a valuable six-furlong handicap for three-year-olds, while Spring Cosmos (Charlie Appleby/William Buick) makes her debut in a two-year-old fillies' maiden over the same trip.

Source: Khaleej Times