Masar’s Ascot plans confirmed

Horse Racing

Racing365
June 15, 2019 1:30 pm

Trainer Charlie Appleby has confirmed that Masar will run in the Hardwicke Stakes at Royal Ascot rather than the Prince of Wales’s Stakes.

The four-year-old has not been seen since winning the 2018 Epsom Derby over a year ago, but it has now been confirmed that he will make his long-awaited return in next weekend’s Group Two over a mile and a half rather the Group One Prince of Wales’s, which will be run on Wednesday and is two furlongs shorter.

The reason behind the decision is due to the quality of the field that is entered into the Prince of Wales’, with top fillies such as Magical and Sea Of Class set to compete.

It also means jockey James Doyle will be free to ride both Masar and Sea Of Class at Royal Ascot, as he would have had a difficult decision to make had they both been entered in the same race.

Appleby confirmed the final decision on Masar was made after the Godolphin-owned colt galloped on Saturday.

‘We were very pleased with Masar’s work this morning, and we thought the right option for him is the Hardwicke,’ he revealed.

‘It’s his first start since the Derby – and with the rest of the season ahead of us, we just felt it would be a tough assignment in the Prince of Wales’s, with the way that race is shaping up.’