‘Loftier targets and less racing’ the plan for Live In The Dream

Nunthorpe title defence and another Breeders’ Cup trip on the agenda.

Adam West is targeting a Nunthorpe repeat with sprint star Live In The Dream.

The chestnut gave connections a day to remember last season when taking the York Group One at 28-1 at the height of the summer.

That win was the pinnacle of a successful season in general, with the gelding progressing from handicaps to then place second in the Palace House and third in the Temple Stakes.

After a break, he returned to go down by only a length in a Listed event at Deauville, following which he moved onto his famous Nunthorpe victory and booked himself a ticket to Santa Anita for the Breeders’ Cup.

In preparation, he ran in the Woodford Stakes at Keeneland and came home fourth, the same spot he would then gain in the Breeders’ Cup Turf Sprint when beaten a length and a quarter.

This season, he is likely to be aimed at the Knavesmire feature again, with a view to gaining a place at the Breeders’ Cup, though his campaign will focus on quality over quantity now he is proven at the top level.

Sean Kirrane on Live In The Dream after winning the Nunthorpe
Sean Kirrane on Live In The Dream after winning the Nunthorpe (Simon Marper/PA)

“It took him a bit of time to unwind from the Breeders’ Cup, he was physically quite tired from the journey on the way back,” West said.

“It took a lot longer for him to be able to switch off but now he’s been able to do that, he has really benefited from it.

“We split the season last year to get more racing out of him, but now we’re hoping for loftier targets and less racing – obviously we can’t go to Lingfield and Pontefract anymore!

“He spelled at Hen Knight’s and he’s come back really well, in my opinion he is the best physically and mentally that I’ve ever seen him.

“There’s a good bit of condition on him that still needs to come off, and we’re hoping to start him out in the Temple Stakes in May.

“The main aim will be the Nunthorpe and he’s probably going to be campaigned with that in mind, hopefully with the added bonus of going to America.”

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