Bradsell returns in cracking Commonwealth Cup Trial

Coventry Stakes winner has been off for 270 days.

Hollie Doyle is excited to be reunited with Bradsell in the British Racing School 40th Anniversary Commonwealth Cup Trial at Ascot

A hugely impressive winner of the Coventry Stakes at Royal Ascot in June, he has not been seen since picking up an injury when only fourth of five in the Phoenix Stakes behind Little Big Bear.

With no pretentions of him staying a mile, trainer Archie Watson brings him back in a Group Three previously known as the Pavilion Stakes with a return to the big meeting in June firmly in his and Doyle’s thoughts.

“We’re looking forward to getting him back,” said Doyle.

“He’s looking like a typical sprinter now and he’s a chunky little horse. His work has been pretty solid and it’s a great starting point.

“It’s practically the Commonwealth Cup minus a few so it’s a very hot race. He has his course and distance form and although he may be unknown on the ground, a few of them are in the same boat.”

Charlie Fellowes is keen to see his Vintage Stakes winner Marbaan drop back in trip.

While that Group Two triumph at Goodwood last summer came over seven furlongs, he was well beaten in both the National Stakes and the Dewhurst over the same trip and Fellowes hopes he can make a successful return to sprinting on Royal Ascot Trials Day.

Marbaan (right) winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood
Marbaan (right) winning the Vintage Stakes at Goodwood (Adam Davy/PA)

“I felt towards the end of last year that maybe he didn’t quite see out the seven furlongs,” said the Newmarket handler.

“Being by Oasis Dream, I think there’s a good chance he might be happier over six furlongs and I think Ascot will really suit him.

“I think the ground will be perfect and I guess we’ll find out where we really stand for this year.

“He took a while to come to hand this year but he did a really nice piece of work last week and that’s given me the confidence that six furlongs should be fine.”

Mischief Magic will run for Charlie Appleby in the royal blue silks of Godolphin.

Mischief Magic and William Buick
Mischief Magic and William Buick (Steven Paston/PA)

The son of Exceed And Excel won four of his six juvenile starts, including the Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf Sprint, and Appleby is satisfied with how his colt has progressed ahead of his seasonal debut.

“We have been pleased with Mischief Magic. He is better suited to a bigger field and a sounder surface but it’s very much a starting point for the season and hopefully a stepping stone to the Commonwealth Cup,” the trainer said on the Godolphin website.

Richard Hannon will saddle both Trillium, a three-time winner who defeated The Platinum Queen in the Flying Childers last season, and the Amo Racing-owned Magical Sunset.

The latter was a five-length winner of the Radley Stakes last season and was most recently seen finishing fifth as the beaten favourite in the Fred Darling last month.

Tom Pennington, racing and operations manager at Amo Racing, said: “We were a touch disappointed after Newbury. She was drawn out on the wrong side and just flattened out a touch.

“It looks an incredibly strong race but we hope the drop back to six furlongs will help her. These sprinters go and get quicker with age and Richard says she is dynamite at home.

“She got quicker and she’s a fast filly so we hope this stiff six will play to her strengths. She will definitely travel well into the race and let’s hope she is good enough to be competitive.”

Cold Case, who landed the Two Year Old Trophy at Redcar last season, will run for Karl Burke, while Andrew Balding’s Desert Cop makes his first start on turf after winning on All-Weather Championships Finals Day at Newcastle last time out.

The field is completed by the Richard Fahey-trained Rousing Encore, second in the Mill Reef, and John Ryan’s The X O.

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