‘The reality of beating Willie is, it’s not reality, I’m afraid.’

Balding: ‘He has ticked a lot of boxes, so we don’t see the point in running him again.’

‘You can’t count your chickens. You just have to go through and keep playing.’

Welsh rider proud to declare: ‘Whether I win or lose, I haven’t given it up.’

‘He is a gentleman and has been a great ambassador for France and for all jockeys.’

‘It’s very exciting to see all the people; for me, it is gratitude to everybody for coming.’

‘It just strikes me she does ride well and she doesn’t get that many opportunities.’

William Haggas: ‘It’s a nice, stiff track and it’s a good starting place for him.’

Colt moves up to 10 furlongs with Derby aspirations on the line at Sandown.

Connections hoping to see ‘true’ colt after a difficult 2023 campaign.