Buick set to be reunited with Touleen at Ascot

William Buick will be back on Touleen in the Longines Valiant Stakes at Ascot on Saturday, as the Owen Burrows-trained filly seeks to return to winning ways.

The Shadwell-owned three-year-old has been ridden by Saffie Osborne in the absence of the injured Jim Crowley in her three races to date this season.

Last time out Touleen suffered a troubled passage but flew home to be second to Precise in the Coronation Stakes, with 1000 Guineas winner True Love back in third, and Burrows is keen for her to drop down in grade for a confidence boost.

“I’m looking forward to getting her back on track. We’ve been pleased with her since Ascot. We did have her in the Sun Chariot but to be honest, watching that I was pleased not to be there,” Burrows told Sky Sports Racing.

“She’s not the biggest filly, she doesn’t take a huge amount of work and she’s been ticking over pleasingly.

“Luck wasn’t on our side last time, a few bits and pieces went against us and with a clear run, who knows. That’s the thing with racing, we’ve all got our own opinions, Precise might have found a bit more, who knows.

“If you’d have told me in the morning we were going to split two Guineas winners I’d have probably taken that, but the manner how it happened was slightly frustrating. She’d have been bang there.

“We’re keen to make her a stakes winner, we’re hoping to tick that off this weekend then go back up in grade. I believe she’s staying in training at four which is great, but let’s try to get this one ticked off.

“Potentially the Matron might suit her and the Breeders’ Cup might be another option, but I’d like to get this one ticked off before looking too far down the line.

“At the moment William Buick is going to get back on her, he won on her last year and rode her in the Rockfel when she wasn’t quite right. He’s available and was very keen to get back on her so all being well he will ride.”