Cumberland Lodge: Andre Fabre happy with Waldgeist ahead of Ascot mission
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
By Racinguk.com staff
Andre Fabre already has one eye on next year for Waldgeist as he bids to finish his season on a high in the Gigaset Cumberland Lodge Stakes at Ascot on Saturday.
The Galileo colt claimed Group One glory in the Criterium de Saint-Cloud at the end of his juvenile campaign and while he is winless after three starts this year, he was beaten just a short head by Brametot in the Prix du Jockey Club at Chantilly at the start of June.
He then ventured to the Curragh to contest the Irish Derby and ran a fine race to finish fourth behind subsequent St Leger hero Capri, Cracksman and Epsom Derby winner Wings Of Eagles.
Waldgeist makes his first appearance since that early July outing and Fabre is hopeful he can rediscover the winning touch under Vincent Cheminaud.
"He hasn't run for quite a long time, but he is in good form and I am happy with him going into the race," the French handler said.
"He has had no problems since the Irish Derby. We just wanted to give him plenty of time. I wanted to avoid the big races with him as I think he will be a good four-year-old.
Andre Fabre has saddled nine winners in Britain from 39 runners in the past five seasons (Racingfotos)
"I didn't want to run him in the Arc and races like that, as hopefully he will stay in training and have a good campaign next season.
"This will be his last run of the season."
Secret Number won this prize four years ago for Saeed bin Suroor and Godolphin but must concede weight all round, having landed a Group Two in Turkey on his penultimate start.
Bin Suroor told www.godolphin.com: "Secret Number won nicely out in Turkey and ran a good race last time at Newbury, when he was a little unlucky.
"He has won this race in the past and a mile and a half around Ascot suits him well."
Trainer Mick Quinn is looking forward to testing course-and-distance winner Great Hall at Group Three level following three consecutive victories in handicap company.
"He ran in the St Leger in his early days and was thought of as a high-class horse at Brian Meehan's yard," the Newmarket trainer said.
beverley
21:00 Beverley - Friday July 5
"He's been round the block a little bit and came to me last year, but this season he's been absolutely revitalised.
"He won so well at Yarmouth last time. It was a career best and he's rated 105 now, so you're limited as to where you can run him.
"He's two out of two at Ascot so we might as well have a go.
"He's relishing his racing and I couldn't have the horse in any better shape.
"He's up to Group Three level and running against quality opposition, but at the end of the season, if your horse is in form, it's amazing what that horse can achieve.
"I think he's more than capable of running a respectable race in this grade."
Other contenders in a nine-strong field include Sir Michael Stoute's Midterm and the Richard Hannon-trained Danehill Kodiac.
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