English King out to restate pretensions
Derby form put to the test in Gordon Stakes.
Ed Walker is hoping English King can turn around the Derby form with Khalifa Sat and confirm his Group One potential in the John Pearce Racing Gordon Stakes at Goodwood.
The Camelot colt shot to prominence in the Epsom betting after a facile trial success at Lingfield, but he could finish only fifth behind surprise all-the-way winner Serpentine on the big day earlier this month. Khalifa Sat finished second on that occasion, three-quarters of a length ahead of English King – and while Walker’s charge was making up ground in the finish, he has full respect for the Derby runner-up.Walker said: “He’s in great form – it’s like a mini re-run of the Derby. “The ground should suit – he should handle the track and he hasn’t missed a beat since Epsom. “He was (finishing fast at Epsom), but take nothing away from Khalifa Sat – he won a trial and finished second in the Derby and is clearly a very good horse. “We have great respect for Khalifa Sat and the others, but we are obviously hopeful he can turn the tables after a bit of a strange race at Epsom.” The Gordon Stakes is traditionally viewed as a St Leger trial – but Walker thinks English King unlikely to head to Doncaster, with a possible rematch with Serpentine in the Grand Prix de Paris at ParisLongchamp in September currently on connections’ radar instead. He added: “The Leger would be unlikely. We will see how it goes at Goodwood, but we would be hoping to go for something like the Grand Prix de Paris. “It is shaping into a great race, but everything seems to be this year because it has all been condensed. It’s been great for viewing, though, because that is what sport is all about – the best taking on the best. “Hopefully he can prove to us he deserves to take on the best, but we will certainly learn a bit more this week.”
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