Join

Sagaro Stakes: read what connections have to say

By Racing TV

Last Updated: Thu 30 Apr 2026

Caballo De Mar has already played a huge part in George Scott’s rise up the training ranks and now could provide him with a contender for the Gold Cup when he goes on trial for Royal Ascot in the Longines Sagaro Stakes.

The rapidly improving five-year-old gave the Eve Lodge handler Group One glory for the first time when landing the Prix du Cadran last autumn and will now attempt to lay down a firm marker in the staying division after a pleasing comeback run when second in the Dubai Gold Cup.

Scott said: “I’m very pleased with him. He’s moving great and seems bright, this has been the plan since Dubai. We were very keen to get to Ascot and prepare for the Gold Cup and it’s all systems go.

“Honestly, he’s not the best work horse. He just does his own thing, he’s very laid back. He’s in tremendous form and I’m very, very happy with him. He’s very fresh and absolutely ready to rock.”

Friday’s outing will also give a gauge on how conditions could dictate future targets.

Scott added: “We’re keen to run him on Friday on this surface which will be good to firm even though it won’t be like good to firm in summer.

“If you could give me ideal ground it would be on the easy side of good but I want to use this as an opportunity to see if it came up quick at Royal Ascot, whether we’d take our chance.

“If he struggled on the ground on Friday then we’d know that we need to stay off the ground for the time being.”

Caballo De Mar and Tom Marquand landed the Prix du Cadran in October. (Photo: Liesl King)

John and Thady Gosden’s Sweet William sets the standard on his proven form at the highest level over a number of years and looked as good as ever last autumn when winning the Doncaster Cup for a second time before chasing home stablemate Trawlerman on British Champions Day.

However, one bringing untapped potential to the race is Tabletalk, a model of consistency over shorter distances and one Tom Clover is eager to see up at two miles following a fine weight-carrying display in Riyadh in the Red Sea Turf Handicap.

Clover said: “It has been the plan since Saudi to come here and at the weights you’d like to think he has a chance of being there or thereabouts.

“We felt it was a really strong run in the Red Sea Turf giving away 3lb to Sons And Lovers. He’s trained nicely since, we’ve been really happy with him and we hope he can run a really encouraging race.

“You would like to think he could win a Group Three and he looks in good shape. He’s finished second in four of his last six starts and also ran a huge race in the Hardwicke from a tricky draw.

“We hope and feel his future lies over two miles, so hopefully we can see a little more improvement for the extra furlong he tackles here. He ran a big race in Saudi and then hit the line strong while conceding weight to everyone so I would hope he can get a bit of luck and run well.”

Third that day in Saudi Arabia was Andrew Balding’s Tarriance who is also in action once again.

The Kingsclere handler told Sky Sports Racing: “He ran very well in Saudi Arabia on his latest start and we’re looking forward to getting his domestic season going. He’s a lovely horse and did nothing but improve last year.

“He stays very well and certainly handles fast ground well. He ran with credit and it was his first trip abroad. He’s a relatively young horse so it was good experience for him and he’s come out of it really well.

“I think he can improve with another year’s experience. These stayers tend to improve as they get more seasoned. He’s going to be of that ilk.

“I hope he could be a Gold Cup horse. We had recently-retired Coltrane who was a really good stayer for many years. He won the Melrose as a three-year-old as well and just kept improving as he matured and I hope for the same could be said of Tarriance in time.”

Five horses to watch at Cheltenham this week

Dave Nevison's Wednesday tips at Kempton: "he looks very well in"

Saturday ante-post tips: brace of 20-1 chances among five bets

Philip Hobbs and Johnson White 2026-27 Jumps season stable tour

Five changes made at Cheltenham ahead of the 2026-27 season

Todays top offer

Bet £10 Get £30 in Free Bets + Money Back as a Free Bet if 2nd to SP Fav with BOYLE Sports

T&Cs Apply

18+. New UK customers (Excluding NI) only. Min Deposit £10. Min stake £10. Min odds Evs. Free bet applied on 1st settlement of any qualifying bet. 30 days to qualify. Free bets expire in 7 days. Cashed out/Free Bets won’t apply. Account & Payment method restrictions apply. 1 Free Bet offer per customer, household & IP Address only. T&C's apply. 18+. IRE/NI & UK online only. Max Free Bet £/€10. Win or win part of e/w outright singles. 5+ runners. 1st bet on each race. Free/void/antepost bets don't qualify. In event of a dead heat, offer won’t apply. Applies to First Past the Post result. Unnamed 2nd Favs don’t qualify. Acc & Payment restrictions apply. T&Cs apply.

Claim Now

Featured offers

Bet £10 get £40 in free bets with Kwiff

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK customers. Place a £10 real money bet at min. 2.0 odds within 5 days of deposit. Get 4 x £10 Free Bets: 1 Single, 2 Accas & 1 Bet Builder (min. 3 selections each). Excludes cashout, E/W, Multis, Ineligible Markets & Odds Boosts. Credited after bet settlement. 7-day expiry. T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware

Bet £20 and Get £40 in Free Bets with Unibet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

18+. GambleAware.org. New GB customers only. Min £20 debit card or instant banking transfer deposit. Place a £20+ bet on Horse Racing at min odds 2/5 (1.4) each leg for 4x £10 Free Bets (can be used on Racing Bet Builder). Claim within 30 days. Valid for Horse Racing only. Geographical restrictions and Further T&C’s apply

Bet £10 get £30 in Free Bets with talkSPORT BET

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New Customers. Opt in, deposit and bet £10+ on any horse racing markets within 7 days of sign up. Get 3 x £10 Free Bets for set horse racing markets. Bonuses expire in 7 days. T&Cs apply. Please gamble responsibly. 18+ GambleAware

Get 50% back up to £50 with QuinnBet

T&Cs Apply

Claim Now

New UK Customers Only. Bet £10+ on any sportsbook markets at odds of evens (2.00) or greater. Get 50% back of your first day’s losses as a Free Bet up to £50, valid for 7 days. 18+ GambleAware.

Please bet responsibly

Races

Tips

Watch

Results