Appleby happy with Ghaiyyath opener

Horse Racing
Appleby happy with Ghaiyyath opener

Charlie Appleby was pleased with the encouraging signs from Ghaiyyath after his winning start to the season in the Prix d’Harcourt.

The Newmarket-based handler pitched his four-year-old colt into Sunday’s race at Paris Longchamp with the onus on targeting middle-distance spoils further into the campaign.

And, under the guidance of jockey William Buick, the Godolphin-owned Ghaiyyath coasted home a good length and a half ahead of Andre Fabre’s Soleil Marin.

Afterwards, Appleby said: ‘He’s a horse we’ve always held in high regard.

He’s done his natural progression from three to four, as Dubawis do.

‘It wasn’t the plan to make the running.

The plan was just for him to get on with it.

In doing so he ended up an impressive winner in the end.

‘Going forward he’s in the Prix Ganay [at Longchamp] and he’s in the Tattersalls Gold Cup [at the Curragh].

They are two races we’ll strongly look towards, but it was a pleasing start to the season for him.’

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Charlie Appleby Ghaiyyath

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