Criterion Stakes key quotes: Jersey flop Saber Strike makes swift return

Saber Strike bids to put Royal Ascot disappointment behind him in the Al Basti Equiworld Dubai Criterion Stakes at York on Saturday.

The William Haggas-trained Night Of Thunder colt surrendered his unbeaten record after wins at Redcar and Newmarket when never really getting going in last weekend’s Jersey Stakes, finishing sixth of 16 runners on what was his first outing in Group-race company.

Saber Strike gets weight for each of his five rivals as the only three-year-old in and Billy Jackson-Stops, racing manager for owners Victorious Forever, is hopeful of a better showing.

“The conditions of the race are perfect. It’s what he wants, the ground’s good and a flat seven furlongs will suit,” he said.

“We thought he came out of Ascot in good shape. He didn’t run his race for whatever reason and we don’t know why and therefore we thought we’d go again.

“He did keep on well and may have just run his race a little bit earlier on while eyeballing the Wathnan horse (The Prettiest Star) for a couple of furlongs – he was possibly overexerting there.

“It didn’t seem to fall our way, but he came out of the race in very good nick and these horses they are there to run. When the conditions are right for them I think you’ve got to run them.

“He’s second-favourite and the favourite (Never So Brave) has got to come back to his best, as he’s been a little below form this year.”

Never So Brave is returning to the site of his finest achievement following his victory in the newly-upgraded City of York Stakes last season.

The Andrew Balding-trained gelding also won the Buckingham Palace Stakes and Summer Mile at Ascot in 2025, but has failed to hit the same heights in two starts so far this year.

Balding said: “Obviously his finest moment came as a course and distance winner at the Ebor meeting. Things didn’t work out for him at Epsom last time. He missed the break at the start and got too far behind.

“We’re hoping he can get back on track on Saturday as the race looks ideal for him.”

William Knight’s Royal Velvet will also be bidding to put a poor Royal Ascot performance behind her as the only mare in the field, while last summer’s shock Sussex Winner Qirat represents Juddmonte and Ralph Beckett.

Johnny Murtagh sends over Chicago Critic from Ireland and Balmacara from Eve Johnson Houghton’s yard completes the line-up.