Into The Sky keeps Classic dream alive with pleasing gallop

Jim Boyle is inclined to let Into The Sky take his chance in the Betfred 2000 Guineas after keeping Classic dreams alive in a racecourse gallop prior to racing at Newmarket on Wednesday.

An impressive winner at Newbury on debut, he returned to the Berkshire track to finish second in the Mill Reef on his only other start as a juvenile and his team are now excited to have a tilt at Group One glory on May 2 with a colt who could become the pride of Epsom this term.

Boyle said: “It’s huge to have a horse like this and it’s kept us warm over winter. It comes with it’s inherent nerves, but it’s the nerves you want and it’s a nice position to finally be in and to have a horse like him.

“I’m looking forward to seeing what he can do on the track now as we have a lot of faith in this horse and think he has a lot of ability.

“He can fly the flag for Epsom and we’re conscious we’re part of a big team for Epsom and we’re all trying to see things lift off. There’s a lot of green shoots in Epsom and it’s nice to be part of that.

“The inclination is to let him take his chance and I think you will see a wiser horse if we do come back here having had a taste of the dip.

“There’s only one English 2000 Guineas and there is every chance we will have a crack. It’s certainly firmly in the plans and wouldn’t be ruled out on that for sure.”

Into The Sky’s Mill Reef near-miss was the first time the son of Starman sported the colours of Doreen Tabor, who bought into the horse after his scintillating Newbury debut.

After pleasing his handler in this seven-furlong assignment under Oisin Murphy, hopes are high he will see out the one-mile distance when tackling the 2000 Guineas, for which he is a general 25-1 chance.

“It wasn’t a flat out piece of work for seven furlongs and Oisin was very happy with him and liked him and it was a case of job done,” continued Boyle.

“That was just to let him get a feel of the dip because he’s only ever run at Newbury. It might not be the ideal track for him but he coped with it well enough and picked up nicely. He’s a horse with a big, long stride and he only got going late on in the gallop.

“On his homework, he settles and relaxes and you would say he is every bit a miler in his work. He does potentially come alive a bit on the track. If he conserves his energy I think he will stay a mile, but we’ll find that out once we get on the track.”

First out to gallop was Michael Bell’s Spicy Marg, who won three of her seven outings at two and is another set to put her stamina to the test on her seasonal return, this time in the 1000 Guineas.

Her handler admitted to a sleepless night prior to this crucial work, but heads home from the Rowley Mile confident one of last year’s leading speedsters could make her mark over eight furlongs this term.

Bell said: “There’s an element of doubt over the trip but she’s hit the line well there over seven furlongs and Hector (Crouch) said mentally she is in a very good place and physically in a good place. We know she’s talented and is unbeaten at the track so we’ll roll the dice.

“Her style of racing will give her every chance of staying and she has plenty of experience from last year. The only thing we don’t know is if she stays, but we hope she does and I think anyone who has an investment will get a run for their money.

“I had a sleepless night last night about this piece of work but we’re excited about her. I’ll sleep better now.”

In a busy pre-racing session, Hugo Palmer revealed Glacius would not be confirmed for the 2000 Guineas on Monday week after he also completed seven furlongs of the Classic course, instead heading up in distance, most likely at Chester next month.