Eldar Eldarov delighting Varian in Gold Cup preparations
York second firmly on course for Royal Ascot date.
Roger Varian is counting down the days until the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot with Eldar Eldarov following his hugely encouraging return at York last week. The Dubawi colt was a nose winner of the Queen’s Vase at the Royal meeting last season and went on to claim Classic glory in the St Leger at Doncaster in September. He had to concede weight all round on his his four-year-old debut in the Group Two Yorkshire Cup and powered home to be beaten just half a length in second place by St Leger third Giavellotto. Varian is confident his charge will improve for the run and also views the step up from a mile and three-quarters to two and a half miles in next month’s Ascot showpiece as a positive. “He’s great, he couldn’t have taken it (the run) better and I’ve been delighted with him this week,” said the Newmarket handler. “His profile looks good for the Gold Cup and the St Leger form is starting to show its worth now. “His run at York would excite anyone, whoever’s camp he was in. It was just a good run, he hit the line strong, he gave weight to the field and looks like he’ll improve over a bit further. “We’re looking forward to it.” Eldar Eldarov is a 4-1 shot with Paddy Power for the Gold Cup, making him their clear second-favourite behind Andrew Balding’s 3-1 market leader Coltrane.Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Casa No Mento a famous Punchestown winner for Twiston-Davies
‘We have to come over a give it a go. Willie had five in, but you have to try to beat him’.
-
Teahupoo confirmed as king of the stayers with stylish success
Cheltenham winner adds Punchestown crown to his CV.
-
Il Etait Temps floors Gaelic Warrior for Grade One honours
Punchestown one-two for Willie Mullins, but not in order expected.
-
Singing Banjo hits the right notes at Punchestown
Evergreen 14-year-old lifts La Touche Cup for the second time.
-
State Man targets unblemished season with Boodles Champion Hurdle success
Seven-year-old has been almost perfect since falling on his debut for Willie Mullins two and a half years ago.
-
Ramatuelle seeks to capitalise on Parker’s winning touch in Guineas
Former NBA superstar will be at Newmarket on Sunday – and so will Thierry Henry.
-
Connections confident Naqeeb has progressed enough to ask Gold Cup question
‘He was always a horse that was physically going to improve as he got older’.
-
National hero Murphy relishing Rosallion’s bid for 2000 Guineas glory
Richard Hannon’s three-year-old will take on Aidan O’Brien’s all-conquering City Of Troy.
-
French Gold Cup bid shelved for Il Est Francais
Connections take cautious approach and send impressive Kauto Star winner on summer break.