Pyledriver to bypass Japan Cup and Hong Kong Vase
By Racing TV
Last Updated: Tue 5 Dec 2023
Pyledriver will not run in either the Japan Cup or Hong Kong Vase, with connections preferring to aim their King George hero at the Dubai Sheema Classic next spring.
The five-year-old has been off the track since lowering the colours of some top-class opposition in Ascot’s summer Group One, with a setback scuppering an intended run in the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
Attentions were then turned to either next month’s Japan Cup or the Hong Kong Vase in December – a race in which he was a gallant second in 12 months ago.
But the decision has been made to give the William Muir and Chris Grassick-trained son of Harbour Watch plenty of time to hit his peak and he will now be pointed towards the Meydan Group One, where he was an unlucky fourth in earlier in the year, with an all-weather spin on home soil in preparation also on the cards.
“Pyledriver is absolutely fine and has been given the all-clear, everything is perfect,” said Muir.
“We weighed up the options of going to Japan or Hong Kong and decided to bring him back gently. Because it was only four weeks from now, we thought we don’t want to go straight into galloping, we want to canter away for a few weeks.
“So, following a meeting with the owners, we’ve decided to give him a little break and will give him one race before the Sheema Classic – Lingfield Derby trial or Lingfield Derby, something like that if he qualifies for it and then on to the Sheema Classic, that is the race we’re going to target.
“We’re definitely missing Hong Kong and Japan as it would have come too soon. We would have really liked to have gone for them to be honest, but the horse has to come first in every aspect, and it would have meant a week cantering and straight into galloping and we didn’t want to do that.
“He’s such a good horse, we thought let’s just let him have his break and we’ve then got all next year to race.”
Related posts
Five horses to follow at Cheltenham on Thursday
Dave Nevison's Cheltenham tips: 50-1 and 33-1 picks on day three
Dave Nevison's Cheltenham tips: a 100-1 selection on day two!
Five horses to follow at Cheltenham on Wednesday
Lydia Hislop's Thursday Cheltenham tips after 11-1 winner
Featured offers
Bet £10 get £30 in free bets + money back up to £10 if your horse loses with Virgin Bet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Fact To File 50/1 top 3 finish + £10 EPL Bet Builder with Paddy Power
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £1 get £50 in free bets with Sky Bet
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets + Money back all losers first race every day Cheltenham with Boyle Sports
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Bet £10 Get £40 in Free Bets with Tote
T&Cs Apply
Claim Now
Copyright 2026 Racing TV - All Rights Reserved.
Please bet responsibly
Copyright 2026. All rights reserved