Cicero’s Gift lands Sandown Fortune for Charlie Hills

Cicero’s Gift set up a possible tilt at next month’s Queen Elizabeth II Stakes as he thrived on soft ground in the Sporting Times Sri Lanka Fortune Stakes at Sandown.

Charlie Hills’ five-year-old last tasted victory in the track’s Coral Challenge in July 2024, but was sent off the 6-4 favourite for the Listed feature on the back of some useful performances this term, including when second in the Prix Quincey at Deauville.

Ridden by Jason Watson, he was delivered perfectly to reel in Eve Johnson Houghton’s front-running Balmacara and once passing that rival inside the final furlong, continued to gallop on to register a two-and-a-half-length success.

Roger Varian’s Bayside Boy won this in 2022 before marching on to scoop top honours on British Champions Day at Ascot and Hills is hoping to follow that route with Cicero’s Gift.

“It was tough in the conditions and they went very hard, so I’m delighted with how he saw it out really,” Hills told Racing TV.

“We’ve been very patient with him and this summer has been frustrating, having to wait through all those dry months earlier in the season.

“But we’ve always had the QEII in the back of our minds as it can often be heavy or soft and this is perfect timing ahead of that race.

“This ground was ideal and his first start here at the beginning (of the season) was very good form. He wasn’t beaten far by horses like Dancing Gemini, who has done so well through the summer.

“He’s got the form and he’s been a little bit frustrating throughout his career – we had one season where he was out completely – but we’ve had a good season, he’s been sound as a pound and hopefully the owners can be well rewarded.”

Earlier on the card, Brian Meehan’s Esna (13-8) went one better than her eyecatching course debut to open her account in the Sporting Times Sri Lanka Novice Stakes, while it was a similar story for John and Gosden’s regally-bred Accredit (4-11 favourite) who claimed the Sporting Times Sri Lanka British EBF Maiden Stakes.