Maljoom “needs everything to go in favour” to run at Ascot

Maljoom “needs everything to go in the favour” to make the line-up for the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes at Ascot.

Trainer William Haggas won the Group One contest with Baaeed 12 months ago but with his unbeaten superstar set to bow out in the Champion Stakes that headlines the Qipco British Champions Day card there is an opening for a member of the Somerville Lodge squad in the one-mile event that takes place 40 minutes earlier.

Maljoom looks the ideal candidate to fill that spot having won his first three starts and also scooped Classic honours when landing the German 2000 Guineas.

His unbeaten record came to an end when fourth in the St James’s Palace Stakes at Royal Ascot, but he was an unlucky loser on that occasion when jockey Cieren Fallon got held up in traffic problems during what was a messy race.

However, he missed an intended engagement in the Prix Jacques le Marois at Deauville due to a dirty scope and the QEII would be his first run since Royal Ascot if making the starting stalls on Saturday week.

“He’s fine, he’s due to work this week and we’re hoping to get him to the QEII, but we’re not sure yet,” said Haggas.

“He needs everything to go in the favour, but at the moment, touch wood, he’s good. He’ll stay on in training, very much so.”

Another member of the Haggas squad who could appear on British Champions Day is Prix de Royallieu heroine Sea La Rosa, who has the option of dropping back in trip for the Qipco British Champions Fillies’ And Mares’ Stakes.

The daughter of Sea The Stars brought up a hat-trick at ParisLongchamp and Haggas states she has done nothing but improve all season.

He added: “At the moment we’re looking at the fillies and mares at Ascot but we’ll see. We put her in a Group One in Japan, but all options are open and we’ll see how she is.

“She’s been remarkable this year, she’s improved and improved and improved. She’s been great.”

Haggas also provided an update on Alenquer, with the Tattersalls Gold Cup winner only able to finish ninth in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.

He said: “He was bit overenthusiastic with the blinkers on and didn’t finish which is a shame. I don’t know what we’ll do with him now, we’ll just see.”

Richard Fahey reports stable star Perfect Power to be firmly on course for the Qipco British Champions Sprint at Ascot on Saturday week.

The Ardad colt claimed his third victory at Group One level in the Commonwealth Cup at Royal Ascot in June, adding to his previous top-level wins as a two-year-old in the Prix Morny and Middle Park Stakes.

However, he has since disappointed as favourite for both the July Cup at Newmarket and on his return to France for the Prix Maurice de Gheest at Deauville in early August.

Having given his charge a short mid-season break, Fahey is hopeful he will show his true colours on Champions Day.

“He’s in great form – we’re very happy with him,” said the Musley Bank handler. “We gave him a little bit of a break and he’s been training real good. We’ve had him away a couple of times, he’s in great order and we’re looking forward to it.

“He loves Ascot. I thought about going to France, but speaking to Sheikh Rashid (Dalmook Al Maktoum, owner) we decided to go straight there (Ascot) with him.

“He just doesn’t want the ground very firm. He’s had quite a few runs on very firm ground and it just wasn’t suiting him. A bit of decent ground would be great.”

With Perfect Power’s regular rider Christophe Soumillon sidelined by suspension following a well-publicised incident at Saint-Cloud last week, connections are on the lookout for a replacement.

He added: “There have been discussions and Bruce Raymond (owner’s racing manager) is on with that at the moment.”

Superstar stayer Stradivarius will be paraded on Qipco British Champions Day at Ascot next week.

Connections announced last week that following a glittering career, the John and Thady Gosden-trained eight-year-old was being retired to commence stallion duties from next year.

Racegoers will get their chance to show their appreciation on Saturday week, with Stradivarius being paraded after the Qipco British Champions Sprint.

The son of Sea The Stars won the Long Distance Cup on Champions Day in 2018 and retires with a record 16 Qipco British Champions Series wins. The brilliant Frankel is next best with nine.

Stradivarius’ owner-breeder Bjorn Nielsen said: “He has been a joy to own. He turned up and ran his race every time with marvellous consistency.

“The last six years have been an absolute privilege and I particularly want to thank Ascot, Goodwood and York racecourses as well as everyone who has come out to support him during his career.

“He has been an absolute credit to the Gosdens and their staff at Clarehaven who managed to maintain his performance and enthusiasm for so long.”

Stradivarius will stand at the National Stud from 2023. Anna Kerr, the National Stud’s chief executive, said: “We are delighted to have a racehorse of the calibre of Stradivarius joining the roster at the National Stud.

“He has consistently demonstrated many of the attributes of his sire Sea The Stars – consistency, soundness and a phenomenal temperament. Parading at Qipco British Champions Day provides the perfect opportunity for racing fans to say farewell to a true icon of our sport.”